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266th BN History

 

The 266th Quartermaster Battalion has a long and proud history. The battalion was activated 28 August 1942. During World War II, it served in North Africa and Italy in a variety of logistical capacities and earned battle honors for participation in the Rome-Arno Campaign. The battalion earned its second battle streamer in Southern France before moving into Germany, remaining there until the war's end when it was inactivated on 18 May 1946.

On 25 March 1963, the 266th Quartermaster Battalion was reactivated and sent to Long Binh, Republic of Vietnam, where it spent nearly seven years in service. The battalion’s main mission was to act as a command and control center for logistical service. During this period, it received two Meritorious Unit Commendations and 15 battle streamers for distinguished service during the Vietnam War. The battalion was again inactivated 14 March 1973.

On 12 February 1987, the 1st Battalion, United States Army Quartermaster School was redesignated as the 266th Quartermaster Battalion and earned the right to use its motto of "Providers...Training to Support." Today the battalion proudly produces Logistics Warriors ready to contribute to their first unit of assignment as Culinary Arts Specialists and Transportation Specialists.

The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 266th Quartermaster Battalion on 4 May 1964. It was redesignated on 27 December 1966 as the 266th Supply and Service Battalion. The insignia was again redesignated and the description amended on 9 October 1986 as the 266th Quartermaster Battalion. The insignia consists of the shield and motto of the coat of arms blazoned: Azure, between five bezants a wavy bar Argent cottised potente Or. Attached below the shield is a gold scroll inscribed “THE PROVIDERS” in blue letters. The wavy bar represents the Rhineland, and the gold bars between the five gold roundels are symbolic of direct support of combat troops throughout five campaigns in Italy, France, and Germany.

 

This page was last updated on: February 11, 2022