89th Cavalry Regiment (United States)

The 89th Cavalry Regiment is a Regiment of the United States Army first established in 1940.

Lineage
Constituted 1 June 1940 in the Regular Army as the 10th Antitank Battalion.
 * Redesignated 99th Antitank Battalion, 11 June 1940.
 * Redesignated 99th Infantry Battalion (Antitank) and activated at Fort Lewis Wa. 1 July 1940.
 * Redesignated 99th Infantry Antitank Battalion, 24 July 1941.
 * Redesignated 899th Tank Destroyer Battalion 15 December 1941.
 * Inactivated 27 December 1945 at Camp Kilmer NJ.
 * Redesignated 899th Tank Battalion, 23 July 1953
 * Activated 17 January 1955 in Germany.
 * Inactivated 1 May 1958 in Germany

Distinctive Unit Insignia
A Silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Azure, semé of caltrops Argent, on a bend of the second an elongated inverted pile of the first. Attached below the shield a Blue scroll inscribed “READY NOW” in Silver letters. The sprinkling of silver caltrops, an ancient military instrument, sometimes called “cheval trap” (from the French word horse) from its use in impeding the approach of cavalry-is symbolical of the first duty of the Tank Destroyer Battalions, i.e., to stop the advance of enemy tanks by obstacles strewn in their path and sharp attack from all points. The silver bend represents the forward path to be traveled as well as Highway 99, the birthplace of the unit and the scene of their first arduous convoy. The inverted pile shooting forward from this bend further illustrates advance and the penetrating qualities of the battalion toward any obstacle encountered. The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 899th Tank Destroyer Battalion on 6 August 1942. It was redesignated for the 899th Tank Battalion on 25 April 1956. The insignia was redesignated for the 89th Cavalry Regiment on 23 December 2004.
 * Description
 * Symbolism
 * Background

Blazon
Azure, semé of caltrops Argent, on a bend of the second an elongated inverted pile of the first. On a wreath of the colors Argent and Azure (Ultramarine Blue) upon a geared wheel of a tank track Proper issuant from base a lion passant guardant Or, the dexter forepaw resting on a fleur-de-lis Celeste. Motto READY NOW. The sprinkling of silver caltrops, an ancient military instrument, sometimes called “cheval trap” (from the French word horse) from its use in impeding the approach of cavalry-is symbolical of the first duty of the Tank Destroyer Battalions, i.e., to stop the advance of enemy tanks by obstacles strewn in their path and sharp attack from all points. The silver bend represents the forward path to be traveled as well as Highway 99, the birthplace of the unit and the scene of their first arduous convoy. The inverted pile shooting forward from this bend further illustrates advance and the penetrating qualities of the battalion toward any obstacle encountered. World War II campaigns in Europe, Italy and the Rhineland are recalled by the lion; the fleur-de-lis represents campaign participation in Northern France, Normandy and Ardennes-Alsace. The geared wheel refers to Tank Battalion heritage and Tank Destroyer history. Gold symbolizes excellence, the grey and Sable of the wheel denote strength and the determination to prevail. The coat of arms was originally approved for the 899th Tank Destroyer Battalion on 6 August 1942. It was redesignated for the 899th Tank Battalion on 25 April 1956. The insignia was redesignated for the 89th Cavalry Regiment on 23 December 2004. The coat of arms was amended to add a crest on 9 February 2005.
 * Shield
 * Crest
 * Symbolism
 * Shield
 * Crest
 * Background

Current configuration

 * 1st Squadron 89th Cavalry Regiment (United States)
 * 2nd Squadron 89th Cavalry Regiment (United States)
 * 3rd Squadron 89th Cavalry Regiment (United States)
 * 4th Squadron 89th Cavalry Regiment (United States)

Campaign Streamers
World War II
 * Tunisia
 * Rome-Arno
 * Normandy (with arrowhead)
 * Northern France
 * Rhineland
 * Ardennes-Alsace
 * Central Europe