A Silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Argent, a Spanish castle debased Gules, to chief a fleur-de-lis of the like and on a mount a giant cactus Vert. Attached below and to the sides of the shield is a Silver scroll inscribed "AVAUNCEZ" in Black letters.
The shield is silver, or white, the old Infantry color. The Spanish castle, taken from the Spanish Campaign Medal, is used to represent military service outside the continental limits of the United States, while the cactus and fleur-de-lis are for Mexican Border and World War I service, respectively. The motto translates to "Advance, or Forward."
The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 16 August 1933.