38th Cavalry Regiment ( United States ) The 38th Cavalry Regiment is a Regiment of the United States Army first established in 1916 . It is currently the regimental affiliation of three Reconnaissance and Surveillance Squadrons ( 1st , 2nd , 3rd ) that are part of Battlefield Surveillance Brigades . History . During World War II , the 3d Reconnaissance Squadron was activated as part of the 1st Cavalry Division on 15 November 1942 at Fort Bliss , Texas . On 21 November 1943 it was redesignated as the 38th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron ( Mechanized ) at Exter , England and assigned to the 102d Cavalry Regiment ( Mechanized ) . The 38th shipped from the New York Port of Embarkation on 15 November 1943 and arrived in Scotland five days later and disembarked at the Firth of Clyde . Following a period of training in the UK it arrived in France on 12 June 1944 , shortly after the Normandy invasion . Entered Paris on 25 August 1944 and is recognized as the first American units to do enter the capital city . It reached Belgium on 4 September 1944 and Germany on 30 March 1945 . In August 1945 it was located at Prestice , Czechoslovakia . Returning to the United States , it was inactivated on 28 November 1945 at Camp Kilmer , New Jersey . During the war in Europe , the 38th was attached to the 102nd Cavalry Group ( Mechanized ) . [ edit ] A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 1 / 8 inches ( 2 . 86 cm ) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned : Vert , on a bend indented Or between five fleurs - de - lis three to chief and two to base of the like , a tilting spear Sable . Attached below the shield is a Gold scroll inscribed “ ALWAYS IN FRONT ” in Green letters . The colors , green and yellow , are those of Armor . The spear , black on gold , represents Cavalry descent . The five fleurs - de - lis are the traditional symbols of European battle honors and represent the unit ’ s World War II campaigns . The indented diagonal band represents a path between hostile lines , symbolizing the primary functions of a reconnaissance unit . The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 38th Reconnaissance Battalion on 24 August 1951 . It was redesignated for the 38th Cavalry Regiment with the description and symbolism updated on 24 July 2008 . Vert , on a bend indented Or between five fleurs - de - lis three to chief and two to base of the like , a tilting spear Sable . From a wreath Or and Vert , in front of two broad swords points down saltirewise Proper a crenellated tower of the first bearing a lion rampant Sable holding in upraised dexter claws a spear Gris . Coat Of Arms . Blazon . Motto ALWAYS IN FRONT . The colors , green and yellow , are those of Armor . The spear , black on gold , represents Cavalry descent . The five fleurs - de - lis are the traditional symbols of European battle honors and represent the unit ’ s World War II campaigns . The indented diagonal band represents a path between hostile lines , symbolizing the primary functions of a reconnaissance unit . The tower represents campaigns in the Rhineland and Central Europe in which the Regiment participated during World War II . The black lion and spear , symbols used by Belgium , recall the decorations awarded the unit by that Nation for actions in its defense . The swords signify unit campaigns in Belgium , Germany , and Czechoslovakia towards the end of the war and recall the award of the Presidential Unit Citation in 1945 . The coat of arms was originally approved for the 38th Reconnaissance Battalion on 24 August 1951 . It was redesignated for the 38th Cavalry Regiment and amended to add a crest on 1 October 2008 .