WW2 US Army DUI Distinctive Uniform Insignia 45th Infantry Division Badge Pin

The WW2 US Army Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI) for the 45th Infantry Division is a metal badge originally worn by soldiers to signify their unit affiliation. This pin features the division’s emblem, a gold-colored thunderbird on a red diamond-shaped background, which was adopted as the division’s official symbol in 1939. The thunderbird, a motif drawn from Native American iconography in the Southwestern United States, reflects the division’s roots in that region. During World War II, the 45th Infantry Division saw extensive combat in the European Theater, including participation in the campaigns in Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany. The DUI was worn on the uniform’s epaulets as part of standard dress regulations. It measures approximately one inch in height and retains the original pin-back fastening. This insignia serves as a representative artifact of the division’s history and its role in World War II military operations.