The Maryland Defense Force's Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) has long been a quiet but critical part of Maryland’s military heritage. As a state defense force, it supports the Maryland National Guard and serves the people of Maryland in times of need. Its members wear a distinctive shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI) that is both visually striking and deeply symbolic.

This insignia raises a fascinating questions about the connection to Maryland’s history and what broader symbolism might it carry. To uncover the answers, we must look beyond the present and trace the threads of military tradition, reconciliation, and commemoration that have shaped its story.

The MDDF shoulder sleeve insignia is a marriage of modern design with historical resonance:

Taegeuk per pale Sable and Or, overall a cross bottony quarterly Gules and Argent.

The Taegeuk, drawing inspiration from East Asian traditions while incorporating elements of Maryland’s heraldic identity. The vertical division into black (Sable) and yellow (Or) evokes Maryland’s colors, while the overlaid Crossland cross connects directly to the state’s history and arms. This thoughtful design acknowledges the MDDF’s local mission while drawing a clear link to the broader legacy of the 29th Infantry Division.

The 29th Infantry Division holds a unique place in American military history, and its shoulder sleeve insignia,

Taegeuk per pale Azure and Cendrée,

symbolizes reconciliation and unity. The blue and gray colors reflect the Union and Confederate armies, acknowledging the division’s origins and its role in bridging Civil War divisions. Formed from National Guard units across northern and southern states, including Maryland, the division embodied a reunited nation.

This symbolism carried forward into World War II, where the 29th Infantry Division played a pivotal role. On June 6, 1944, it was among the first units to land on Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion. Soldiers from Maryland, Virginia, and other states fought side by side, their blue and gray insignia symbolizing their shared sacrifice and commitment to unity. Today, the division’s history and its SSI remain powerful reminders of strength in unity.

The legacy of the 29th Infantry Division extends beyond the battlefield. In Maryland, U.S. Route 29 bears the honorary designation of the 29th Infantry Division Memorial Highway, commemorating the division’s sacrifices. This highway runs through states that contributed National Guard units to the division, linking its origins to the places it represents. In Maryland, markers such as trailblazer signs featuring the division’s taegeuk insignia and a commemorative monument at the US 40 interchange in Ellicott City ensure that the division’s story remains visible and accessible.

The taegeuk, with its deep roots in Korean culture as a symbol of balance and harmony, has transcended its origins to take on new meanings in American military heraldry. For the 29th Infantry Division, the Taegeuk per pale Azure and Cendrée represented national reconciliation and unity. For the Maryland Defense Force, the taegeuk per pale Sable and Or reflects a local focus, tying themes of balance and harmony to the state’s unique identity through the addition of the Crossland cross.

This continuity highlights the enduring nature of the taegeuk’s symbolism. From the battlefields of Normandy to the streets of Maryland, the taegeuk remains a beacon of harmony, adaptability, and commitment, bridging the past and present in the service of shared ideals.

Image above from the United States Army, 29th Infantry Division entering St. Lo, France, on July 20, 1944.