4th Infantry Division Ivy Division, US Army
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4TH INFANTRY DIVISION IVY DIVISION, US ARMY
History: Activated 19 November 1917 as 4th Division, organized on 10 December 1917 at Camp Greene (South Carolina). Inactivated 21 September 1921 at Camp Lewis (Washington). Reactivated 1 June 1940 at Fort Benning (Georgia). Reorganized and re-designated 1 August 1942 as the 4th Motorized Division. Reorganized and re-designated on 4 August 1943 as 4th Infantry Division.
 (Shoulder Sleeve Insignia) |
 (Distinctive Unit Insignia) |
Official blazon
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia. Description: On a light khaki square, each side two inches in width overall and with one angle up, four green ivy leaves arranged per cross issuing from a small open circle (one leaf in each angle of the square and the vertical and horizontal axis each 2 11/32 inches in length).
Distinctive Unit Insignia: Description: A gold color metal and enamel device, 1 inch in height overall consisting of an ivy leaf of green enamel fimbriated gold above a scroll with the inscription "Steadfast and Loyal."
Origin/meaning
Shoulder Sleeve insignia: The four leaves allude to the numerical designation of the Division while the word "I-VY" as pronounced, suggests the characters used in the formation of the Roman numeral "IV." Ivy leaves are also symbolic of fidelity and tenacity.
Distictive Unit Insignia: The Ivy leaf is taken from the 4th infantry Division Shoulder Sleeve Insignia and the Motto is associated with the Division.
The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia was originally approved on October 30, 1918 for the 4th Division without any background specified for the ivy leaf design. The design was embroidered on a square olive background (color of the uniform). On July 2, 1958, the design was changed to reflect the light khaki color background. It was redesignated for the 4th Infantry Division effective August 4, 1943. The Distinctive Unit Insignia was approved on November 16, 1965.
Literature: Images from Wikimedia Commons. Information from The Institute of Heraldry, US Army.