A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches (3.02 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Azure a saltire couped Argent, overall a puela in pale Or. On a canton of the second a lion passant guardant Gules (for the 1st and 2nd Infantry). Attached above on a wreath Argent and Azure a mahiole Or garnished Gules.
This Regiment was organized in August 1916, in the Island of Oahu, Hawaii, from the 1st and 2d Infantry. The parent organizations are shown on the canton, the lion indicating that both regiments took part in the War of 1812. The central device is taken from the royal Hawaiian arms to symbolize the Regiment's birthplace. The puela was an ancient Hawaiian banner with many uses, one of which was in front of the King's tent leaning against two crossed spears (called alia), to indicate both tabu and protection; a saltire cross replaced the spears on the Hawaiian arms. The colors of the crest are the royal Hawaiian colors. The crest is an ancient Hawaiian war bonnet known as mahiole.
The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 5 March 1929.