A silver color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches (3.02 cm) in width overall consisting of a red diamond standing on its shortest axis and charged on its horizontal axis with a wavy blue bar bearing a silver arrow with point to the left, above the diamond on the center lobe of a three lobed green background three silver five-pointed stars and below the diamond on a silver scroll double-folded at each end the word COURAGE in black.
The three stars stand for France, Spain and the United States, the countries to which the Arkansas Territory belonged. The diamond shape was suggested by the state flag, while the wavy bar symbolizes the Arkansas River with the arrow referring to the Indian name ARKANSA. The green background alludes to the wooded hills of the Ouachita and the Ozark National Forests. The arrow in flight is used as a symbol of the 39th Infantry Brigade defending the state.
The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 18 February 1969.