A gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches (3.02 cm) in height overall, consisting of two gold oriental dragons respectant surmounted by and encircling a maroon equilateral triangle one point up bearing between three white stars, one point of each toward each angle of the triangle, a gold Philippine sun charged with a blue Staff of Aesculapius.
Maroon and white are the colors traditionally associated with the Medical Department; blue alludes to the Presidential Unit Citation streamer awarded the former unit during World War II. The three stars on the triangle and the Philippine sun, taken from the Philippine Presidential Seal, refer to the action for which the former Hospital received the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. The three stars are also for participation in three wars-World War I, World War II and Vietnam, and also allude to the organization's numerical designation. The sun and Staff of Aesculapius represent the mission of the Hospital. The sun, source of light, health and healing, is an attribute of Apollo, Greek God of Medicine. The number of major rays, eight, is the numerical symbol for regeneration. The staff entwined with the serpent is a symbol of Aesculapius, Roman God of Medicine, who was believed to be the son of Apollo. Dragons are considered omens of good fortune in the Orient. One refers to Papua on New Guinea, the dragon-shaped island, and to the action for which the former Hospital received the Presidential Unit Citation. The other is for Vietnam and the Hospital's service in that country.
The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 3d Surgical Hospital on 2 January 1969. It was redesignated for the 3d Combat Support Hospital, effective 16 October 1992, with description and symbolism revised.