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DESCRIPTION
A
sliver color metal and enamel device 1 1/2 inches in
height overall consisting of semi-circle divided
into three sections each with concave base, the
outer two sections silver and the center section red
enamel, a vertical sliver unsheathed sword point to
base, the hilt resting on the red enamel. section of
the semicircle the lower edge of the guard
coinciding with the concave base and the ends
conjoined with the silver sections the blade between
two lightning flashes points to base the points
converging toward the point of the two blades the
flashes parallel to and enclosed by two narrow
inclined sliver lines starting at the diameter
periphery of the semi-circle and meeting beneath the
point of the sword, the area so enclosed of the blue
enamel all above a stylized motto scroll, the ends
simulating wings and terminating "Sky
Soldiers" in blue enamel letters; the areas
between the narrow silver lines and motto scroll
recesses an d of silver.
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SYMBOLISM
The
simulated parachute and stylized wings refer to the
airborne mission of the Brigade. The unsheathed
sword, point to base (implying from the sky to
ground) and the hilt against the red section of the
parachute canopy, alludes to the combat assault jump
made by the Brigade in February 1967, the first such
jump made by any unit in Vietnam indicated by the
"V" formed by the two lightning flashes on
the V-shaped edged blue area. The single sword also
alludes to the Brigade "first" such as
first American ground unit in Vietnam, first
in War Zones C and D and first in the Iron
Triangle. The lightning flashes also symbolic of the
the Brigades striking power and surprise and
rapidity of movement. The numerical designation of
the Brigade can be readily simulated by various combinations
of the design elements, i.e.,
the sword indicating one (1), the sum of the two
wings, the two lightning flashes and the three
sections of the parachute canopy being seven
(7) and the latter by itself also being used for
three (3).
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