The "Proud American" Battalion was organized at Camp George G. Meade, Maryland 6 August 1918 but relieved thereafter from its assignment to the 11th Division on 30 September 1918.

Constituted in the National Army as the 31st Field Artillery and assigned to the 11th Infantry Division (United States) 5 July 1918.

A Silver color metal and enamel device 1+5⁄32 inches (2.9 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Gules, beneath a kittiwake Volant a kris fesswise Argent, in base a pile reversed barry wavy Azure and of the second thereon a bell Silver.

Attached below and to the sides of the shield a Silver scroll inscribed “IN PERICULO NOS JUBETE” in Red letters.

The kittiwake, a gull associated with the Aleutians, and the kris, representative of the Pacific Islands, are symbolic of service during World War II.

On a wreath of the colors Or and Gules, between six golpes in fess a Bronze howitzer bore upward issuing a pheon reversed Sable inflamed Proper and charged with an escallop Argent.

The kittiwake, a gull associated with the Aleutians, and the kris, representative of the Pacific Islands, are symbolic of service during World War II.

The inflamed pheon, alluding to the quadrant, an instrument for measuring altitude, refers to the hills of Korea and the intensive devastating and accurate fire laid down during March 1953.