ARMS: Or (Gold), on a chevron azure (blue), between a phoenix rising
from its ashes in dexter chief (upper right or the shield-viewers’ left),
the head of a North American Indian in war bonnet, couped (cut off) at
the neck, in sinister chief (upper left or the shield viewer’s right),
all proper (represented in natural colors, not conventional tints), and
a yucca plant, vert (green), in base (at the bottom) seven horse shoes,
heels upward of the filed.
CREST: Surmounting a knight’s helmet, a dexter (right arm embowed
(bent), vested (dressed) azure (blue), the hand in a buckskin gauntlet
proper (represented in natural colors, not conventional tints), grasping
an old style United States Army Saber, argent (silver), hilted or (gold).
MOTTO:The Seventh First.
EXPLANATION OF THE ARMS
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The field of gold (yellow, in heraldic tincture) is the color of
the facings of the old blue uniform of the United States Cavalry, in existence
at the time of the regiment’s organization and retained in the hat cords
of the enlisted men.
The chevron, in the language of heraldry, is described as one of
the “Honorable Ordinaries.” French writers upon the subject contend that
its origin was that of the spur of the knight, which was originally pointed,
without a rowel.
In Egypt, Phoenix was worshipped as a god, the Sun God, Ra, and periodical
resurrection was viewed as a guaranty of the resurrection of the dead.
In Arabia, the phoenix was fabled to be consumed by fire by its own act
and to rise in youthful freshness from its ashes. This charge is embodied
in the arms to commemorate the extermination of General Custer and Troops
C, E, F, I, and L in the Battle of the Little Big Horn in 1876, and the
resurrection of the regiment with its magnificent esprit de corps for which
it is justly noted throughout the United States Army.
The head of the North American Indian is used in honor of a former
able and valiant foe, the original native American.
The yucca plant commemorates the regiment’s service in Mexico as
part of the Punitive Expedition of 1916-17.
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In the crest the Cavalry Charge is symbolized. At the time of the
regiment’s organization, this position of the arms and saber was known
as “raise saber,” and was taken at the command “charge.”
The motto, “The Seventh First,” indicates the esprit de corps of
the regiment’s personnel, in that all, enlisted and officer, place the
good of the regiment first in their consideration.
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