09/12/2025
"ON GUARD!"
History and Symbolism of the 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry Regimental Crest.
A lot of people have questions about our crest. Why a rainbow? What is that green thing in the corner? Shouldn’t it be blue? Like every organization, the 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment takes a lot of pride in our distinctive unit insignia. Ours in particular is informed by our lineage, history, and accomplishments.
Our crest consists of a silver shield with a white background emblazoned with three symbols: a palm tree, a cactus, and a rainbow. A silver scroll inscribed with “ON GUARD” in blue letters is attached to the bottom.
White is the old infantry color. It forms the background of our crest just like the old infantry forms the background of our tactics, culture, and vision. This coloring connects us with the brave men and women who came before us, stretching back to the organization’s formation out of disparate militia companies across Southwest Iowa during the opening stages of the American Civil War in 1861.
The palm tree represents our service during the Spanish American War. The 1-168, then designated the 51st Iowa Volunteer Infantry, was activated on 30 May 1898 and made perilous sea voyage to take part in the invasion of Manilla. Over the course of the Spanish American War and the ensuing Philippine Insurrection, LETHAL Soldiers took part in the battles of Manilla, Qinghua, Calumpit, and Santo Tomas. The last thing our Soldiers saw as the islands faded from view on their return trip 1899 were the palms trees along the coast.
The cactus represents our service on the Southwest border during the Mexican Punitive Expedition against Pancho Villa’s forces in 1916. The 1-168, then designated the 3rd Infantry Regiment, secured New Mexico against follow on attacks while American forces pursued Pancho Villa into the south of Mexico. LETHAL Soldiers were positioned in the high desert, standing guard alongside the towering saguaro cacti.
The rainbow represents the battalion’s service with the 42nd “Rainbow” Division during World War I. The 1-168 was selected along with 26 other National Guard organizations across the country to form a brand-new infantry division which, in the words of then Colonel Douglas McArthur, would “stretch over the whole country like a rainbow.” It was LETHAL Battalion Soldiers, still wearing the distinctive patch of the 34th Infantry Division, that earned the nickname Red Devils from our Central Power adversaries. This nom de’ plume would later become Red Bulls, our name to this day. The 168 participated in several battles and four major campaigns with the Rainbow Division, becoming the only member of the 34th Infantry Division to see major combat during the Great War.
Finally, our motto “ON GUARD” is given pride of place emblazoned on a silver scroll along the bottom of our crest. This motto is the response to the ubiquitous call of “Be LETHAL!” and reminds us that we remain eternally ready and faithful.
