A Gold color metal and enamel device in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Gules, on a bend between a spur gear and a feather palm tree, Or, three torteaux. Attached below the shield a Red scroll turned Gold inscribed "SERVICE, NOT GLORY" in Gold letters. Crimson and yellow are the colors of the Ordnance Branch. The torteaux, simulating cannon balls, allude to the numerical designation of the unit. The spur gear represents maintenance, and the palm tree is characteristic of the flora of the countryside where the battalion was organized, i.e., Southern California. The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 3rd Ordnance Battalion on 26 August 1942. It was redesignated for the 3rd Ordnance Battalion on 14 April 1955.
Coat of Arms
Shield: Gules, on a bend between a spur gear and a feather palm tree Or, three torteaux of the field.
Crest: From a wreath Or and Gules, a shell palewise Sable charged with four mullets in pale of the second, flanked on either side by two pheons Proper.
Motto: Service Not Glory
Symbolism:
* Shield: The background is crimson and the bend is yellow, the colors of the Ordnance Branch. The torteaux, simulating cannon balls, allude to the numerical designation of the unit. The spur gear represents maintenance, and the palm tree is characteristic of the flora of the countryside where the battalion was organized, i.e., Southern California.
* Crest: Crimson and yellow are the colors traditionally used by Ordnance. The shell suggests ammunition, highlighting the mission of the battalion as explosive and ammunition disposal. It is charged with four stars symbolizing the unit's decorations. The two pheons represent the organization's service in World War II and Vietnam.
Background: The coat of arms was originally approved for the 3rd Ordnance Battalion on 14 September 1942. It was rescinded on 14 April 1955. It was reinstated for the 3rd Ordnance Battalion on 20 May 1997. The insignia was amended to include a crest on 27 July 1998.
787th Ordnance Company, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
History
World War II
The 3rd Ordnance Battalion was formed in 1942.
Vietnam
The 3rd Ordnance Battalion was assigned to Vietnam in October 1965. Garrisoned at Long Binh Post, the battalion constructed living quarters and an ammunition supply point. Units:
Headquarters and Headquarters Company
54th Ordnance Company
40th Ordnance Company
60th Ordnance Company
71st Ordnance Company
78th Ordnance Detachment
550th Ordnance Detachment
551st Ordnance Detachment
576th Ordnance Company
Attached Security Units:
Company E, 14th Infantry
Company C, 87th Infantry
After HHC, 3rd Ordnance Battalion and 60th Ordnance Company were inactivated on 29 April 1972, the last remaining unit was assigned to the U.S. Army Supply Depot, Long Binh under whose command it continued to operate the Long Binh Ammunition Depot until all remaining stocks were transferred to the newly constructed ARVN ammunition supply point located in a former portion of the U.S. Army Long Binh Ammunition Depot.
Cold War
In 1977 the 3rd Ordnance Battalion was activated under the 59th Ordnance Brigade in West Germany. Units:
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Taukkunen Barracks, Worms
