7th Cavalry Regiment Coat of Arms

[edit] Description

• Shield: Or, on a chevron Azure, between a phoenix rising from its ashes in dexter chief, the head of a North American Indian in war bonnet couped at the neck in sinister chief, all Proper, and a yucca plant Vert in base, seven horseshoes heels upward of the field.

• Crest: On a wreath of the colors (Or and Azure) a dexter arm embowed vested Azure, the hand in a buckskin gauntlet Proper, grasping an old style United States Army saber Argent, hilted Or.

• Motto: THE SEVENTH FIRST.

[edit] Symbolism

• Shield: The field is yellow, the Cavalry color; the principal charge is a chevron whose origin tradition ascribes to the spur, which was formerly of that shape without rowel. The number of the horseshoes corresponds to the numerical designation of the regiment. The phoenix symbolizes the resurgence of the regiment after its heavy losses in the Battle of Little Big Horn. The Indian head and yucca commemorate Indian campaigns and the Punitive Expedition of 1916, respectively.

• Crest: The crest shows the position of “raised saber” taken at the command “Charge” prescribed by General Order 6, Adjutant General Office, 1873, the arm being habited in the uniform of the period.

[edit] Background

The coat of arms was originally approved for the 7th Cavalry Regiment on 6 December 1920. It was redesignated for the 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry) on 16 December 1953. The insignia was redesignated for the 7th Cavalry Regiment and the symbolism amended to accurately reflect the losses incurred at the Battle of Little Big Horn on 4 February 1983.

[edit] Licensing

This image shows a flag, a coat of arms, a seal or some other official insignia produced by the United States Army Institute of Heraldry. It is in the public domain but its use is restricted by Title 18, United States Code, Section 704 and the Code of Federal Regulations (32 CFR, Part 507). Permission to use these images for commercial purposes must be obtained from The Institute of Heraldry prior to their use.