The DUI pin was a small brass pin with enamel finish that represented a coat of arms for a specific Army unit.  The shoulder patches and DUI pins worn on the US uniform were optional for some units.  The DUI Pins were not worn in combat, of course; only on the dress uniform or the Ike jacket.  On the lapels of the collar were usually worn a disc with "US" and the branch insignia and, below this, maybe a pair of unit insignia.  There were hundreds of unit insignia pins.  This page illustrates a few of the examples worn by units in Italy.

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Uniforms	Examples of Uniforms worn in the Italian Campaign.
Patches & Insignia	Sleeve patches, proficiency badges and other insignia
Medals & Ribbons	Medals earned for service in the Italian Campaign.
DUI Pins	Distinguishing Unit Insigina Pins worn by units serving in Italy.
Branch Discs	Collar discs, indiating branch of service.

 

DUI Pins

Distinguishing Unit Insignias were worn on the uniform to identify the basic unit, such as an infantry regiment or medical battalion.  These were made of either brass or sterling silver and usually in the shape of a shield.  Some were coated with enamel or painted.   After the units went to Europe, new pins were needed for the replacement troops when they arrived.  This resulted in the many pins were made locally in Germany and Italy.    Each DUI Pin traced the traditions of that unit with symbols, colors or mottos.  Some units could trace their lineage back to the Civil War.  Some symbols represent service in foriegn campaigns, such as fish for the Philippine Insurection or a fleur-de-lis for service in France during WW1.  DUI Pins for the division was simply the division's shoulder patch represented on a pin.    The DUI Pin was optional as many units did not seem to have one.  It was not worn in combat but only on the 4-pocket tunic or the "Ike" jacket.  A pair was worn on the lapels of the uniform and one could be worn on the overseas cap in place of the entlisted man's disk.     The pin used one of three methods of attachment.  The oldest method is the (a) screw-on pin which had one threaded stud and a large nut.  Some very old ones had (b) a safety pin clasp, simliar to a safety pin.  Most of the modern pins used (c) the "clutch-back pins" which used two pointed studs that had the modern spring-loaded caps.

 

PFC Warren G. Stichtenoth, Company C, 310th Engineer Battalion,  85th 'Custer' Division This photos shows the DUI Pin of the 310th Engineer Battalion worn on the overseas cap in lieu of the enlisted man's branch insignia.       PFC Stichtenoth is wearing a combat jacket with a shirt, no tie, and a T-shirt.  He displays the Division patch and ribbons.  In his right pocket is a pen.  This would be common attire for an engineer. A color image of DUI of 310th Engineer Battalion is shown in the examples below.

More examples from Italian Campaign (Left to Right) :
     -  142nd Infantry Regiment of 36th Division,  "I'LL FACE YOU"
     -  370th Infantry Regiment of 92nd Division, "POWER TO STRKE"
     -  349th Infantry Regiment of 88th Infantry Division, "LIBERTY AND RIGHTS"
     -  351st Infantry Regiment of 88th Infantry Division
     -  310th Engineer Battalion of 85th Infantry Division, (Polar Bear denotes their service in Russia in 1918-19)
     -  442nd Regimental Combat Team, "GO FOR BROKE" (independant unit assigned to 34th & 92nd Divisions).

(Left to Right)
   -  135 Infantry Regiment of 34th Infantry Division  "TO THE LAST MAN"
   -  157 Infantry Regiment of 45th Infantry Division  ""      (Two teepees and a sea-lion figure.)
   -  180 Infantry Regiment of 45th Infantry Division  "TANAP NANAIYAKIA ALTHAIYANA "   (Cherokee language?)
   -  371 Infantry Regiment of 92nd Infantry Division "ATTACK"
   -  362nd Infantry Regiment of 91st Division, "ARMA TUENTUR PACEUM"
   -  85th Mountain Regiment of 10th Mtn Division "FIX BAYONETS" (mini-DUI; smaller than others)

(Left to Right)
   -  328 Field Artillery Btn of 85th Infantry Division "WE ARE READY"  (This version of pin does not have a scroll.)
   -  329 Field Artillery Btn of 85th Infantry Division "SINE MORA"
   -  337 Field Artillery Btn of 88th Infantry Division
   -  143 Infantry Regiment of 36th Infantry Division  "ARMS SECURE PEACE"
   -  109 Engineer Battalion of 34th Infantry Division
   -  168 Infantry Regiment of 34th Infantry Division  "ON GUARD"

(Left to Right)
     -  120 Medical Battalion of 45th Infantry Division  "WE DO"
     -  47 Armored Medical Battalion of 1st Armored Division (See biography of Henry Guarnere)
     -  313 Medical Battalion of 88th Infantry Division  "FERO SED SAND"
     -  751 Tank Destroyer Btn, support unit for 5th Army,  "ALWAYS TO EXCEL"
     -  752 Tank Destroyer Btn, support unit for 5th Army,  "FORJIS"
     -  759 Tank Destroyer Btn, support unit for 5th Army.

 

Tradition - The design of the DUI Pin were intended to tell the story of the regiment's history and tradition that dated back to World War 1 or even as far back as Civil War or Revolutionary War.  The colors usually indicated a branch of the Army; for example, blue stands for infantry and red for artillery. Some symbols on the shield represented the tradition of their origin and their local state.  The bold lines, chevrons or wavey lines sometimes referred to the front lines of WW1.  A Loraine cross or a fleur-de-lis also indicated service in France in WW1.  Acquatic creatures represented service in the Phillipines in Spanish-American War.  A prickly pear cactus represents service on the Mexican Border.

 US Divisions Table - Contains images of the Division shoulder patches for ALL infantry divisions of the Army.
                                  Also includes a table of the infantry regiments & artillery battalions for each division .