623rd Field Artillery Unit Crest (Seize The Opportunity)

The 623rd Field Artillery Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia—a device also known as “unit crest” or DUI—was originally approved for the 623rd Field Artillery Battalion on 1 May 1952. It was redesignated for the 623rd Artillery Regiment on 13 January 1971 and was given its current designation a year-and-a-half later on 24 July 1972.

Because the Regiment’s history dates back to just before the Mexican War, it would be impossible to use images commemorating all the organization’s highlights or achievements. Instead, the oldest major events in the unit’s history are symbolized on the chief, the top third of the shield and the area of the greatest honor on the it. The chief is yellow, signifying Cavalry, while the gray Saltire is a sign of Confederate service in the Civil War and the giant cactus recalls the Mexican War.

The field of the shield below the chief is packed with fleurs-de-lis to memorialize the 106th AntiAircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion’s World War II service and numerous battle honors earned as Artillery. Two vertical bars of blue, called “pallets,” are emblems of service as Infantry in the Spanish-American War and in World War I (originally issued to the 138th Machine Gun Battalion which was consolidated with this organization).

“Seize The Opportunity,” the Regiment’s motto, is taken from the coat of arms of the former 123rd Cavalry Regiment; it was reassigned to this Regiment and is a nod to the acclaimed military feats performed by the
”
The ancient history, i.e., Mexican War and Civil War, is represented on the chief, which is the most honorary position on the shield. The chief is yellow for Cavalry; the saltire, symbol for Civil War, is gray to indicate Confederate service, and the giant cactus represents Mexican War service. The motto, "Seize The Opportunity," taken from the coat of arms of the former 123d Cavalry Regiment, is reassigned to this organization and implies the tenor of the feats performed by Confederate General John Hunt Morgan and his Raiders during the Civil War.