A gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches (3.02cm) in height overall consisting of a blue three leaf clover with gold stem and issuing out of a white stylized cloud at its center three gold lightning flashes pointing counterclockwise the central flash tipped with an arrowhead; below the clover leaf, attached at each side, a red scroll inscribed in center with the word CYCLONE in gold letters.
The clover leaf is reminiscent of the original badge for non-color bearing units of the 38th Infantry Division. The lightning flashes represent the unit's participation in three campaigns in the Pacific Theater of World War II (New Guinea, Leyte, Luzon) and an assault landing on Luzon is indicated by the arrowhead tip in the center flash. Further, the cloud and lightning flashes allude to the cyclone, a circular counterclockwise rotating storm from which the Division takes its name. The colors blue, white and red refer to the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation awarded to the unit for World War II service during the period 17 Oct 1944 to 4 Jul 1945.
The distinctive unit insignia approved on 18 Dec 1969. This distinctive unit insignia replaced as previously authorized on 22 Jul 1931 and cancelled on 21 Aug 1963.