17th Signal Battalion
"We Lead the Way"
The 17th Signal Battalions mission is to provide command-and-control (C2) communications to V Corps in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) central region or a tailored task force to support a regional conflict.
The unit was constituted 1 November 1942 in the Army of the United States as the 17th Signal Operations Battalion. It was later activated 30 November 1942 at Camp Crowder, Missouri.
During World War II the unit participated in the campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennses-Alsace, and Central Europe.
It was inactivated 18 February 1946 at Camp Bowie, Texas.
On 5 July 1950 the unit was redesignated as the 17th Signal Operation Battalion and activated in Germany. Allotted 15 December 1950 to the Regular Army.
It was reorganized and redesignated 20 October 1953 as the 17th Signal Battalion and was inactivated 25 September 1965 in Germany.
The unit was activated 16 March 1981 in Germany.
Company C took part in the defense of Saudi Arabia and the liberation and defense of Kuwait in 1990-91.
Distinctive Unit Insignia. Description: A Silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height consisting of a shield blazoned: Argent, issuant from base between two telegraph poles Tenné a radio tower Sable emitting in chief five flashes of the second. Attached below the shield an Orange scroll inscribed "FONS COMMUNICATIONES" in Silver letters.
Symbolism: Orange and white are the colors used for Signal Corps. The telegraph poles and radio tower symbolize the battalion's functions. The five flashes are used to represent the organization's World War II battle honors. The motto translates to "Fountain of Communications."
Background: The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 17th Signal Operation Battalion on 26 February 1953. It was redesignated for the 17th Signal Battalion on 16 January 1959.
