The 426th Medical Brigade was a medical brigade of the United States Army Reserve subordinate to the 96th Army Reserve Command and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Lineage and Honors
Lineage
Constituted 5 January 1943 in the Army of the United States as the 426th Medical Battalion, Motorized Activated 25 February 1943 at Camp Maxey, Texas Battalion broken up 25 September 1943 and its elements reorganized and redesignated as follows: Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 426th Medical Battalion (Companies A, B, and C as the 564th, 565th, and 566th Ambulance Companies, Motor – hereafter separate lineages) Inactivated 31 January 1946 in Germany Allotted 29 March 1948 to the Organized Reserve Corps Activated 20 April 1948 at Yakima, Washington Inactivated 28 November 1949 at Yakima, Washington Redesignated 18 August 1950 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 426th Medical Group Activated 1 September 1950 at San Francisco, California Location changed 1 March 1952 to Los Angeles, California (Organized Reserve Corps redesignated 9 July 1952 as the Army Reserve) Inactivated 1 January 1958 at Los Angeles, California Activated 16 April 1986 at Salt Lake City, Utah Reorganized and redesignated 16 September 1993 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 426th Medical Brigade Inactivated 15 October 2008 at Salt Lake City, Utah
Honors
Campaign Participation Credit
World War II Normandy Northern France Rhineland Ardennes-Alsace Central Europe
Decorations
None
Insignia
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
Description
On a rectangle arced at the top and bottom with a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) gold border 2 inches (5.08 cm) in width and 3 inches (7.62 cm) in height overall, divided horizontally blue above green, a gold disc bearing a maroon triangle surmounted by a white cross.
Symbolism
Maroon and white are the colors traditionally associated with the Medical Corps; gold denotes excellence. The disc symbolizes mobility and quick response, and the triangle suggests the mountain state of Utah. The cross highlights medical care and compassion. The blue and green represent sky and grass and suggest life and the "Great Lifegiver."
Background
The shoulder sleeve insignia was approved on 3 August 1994. (TIOH Dwg. No. A-1-813)
Distinctive Unit Insignia
Description
A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a stylized gold caltrop upon a green equilateral triangle with, in base, a gold fleur-de-lis upon a red cross, and traversing the triangle a white wavy bar, all within a circular maroon scroll debruised by the top of the triangle and bearing the motto "READINESS WITH MERCY" in gold.
Symbolism
World War II action in Central Europe is represented by the green triangle which refers to the mountains of the Ardennes as well as the tents used by the predecessor organization for medical services and support during hostilities. The wavy white band represents the Rhineland, the Rhine River, and the winter snows of the region. France is represented by the fleur-de-lis. The gold caltrop, in the triangular form of the beechnut, symbolizes land war in Europe and recalls the beech forests of Ardennes-Alsace.
Background
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 426th Medical Group on 8 November 1985. It was redesignated for the 426th Medical Brigade with the description and symbolism revised effective 16 September 1993.
History
World War II
The Army Reserves
Commanders
Image Rank Name BranchBegin date End date Notes Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Murray Polsky MC Inactive Lieutenant Colonel Inactive Colonel Colonel Colonel Colonel Colonel Inactive Colonel Colonel Carvel H. Evans MC Colonel Alfred W. Mickle MC Colonel Richard F. Abbott MS Colonel Colonel A. Wayne Mickle MC In command of 426th Medical Brigade in 1995.
Organization
References
External links