A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in width overall consisting of a green M-1 style Army helmet, with silver strap, charged with a red cross on a silver disc, enclosed at top by a semicircular maroon scroll bearing the inscription "TO HEAL WITH SPEED" in silver letters.
Maroon and silver/white are the colors traditionally associated with U.S. Army Medical units. The helmet, in general use during World War II by medics as well as combatants, is charged with a red cross on a silver disc to approximate the identifying markings on the helmets of medical corpsmen in World War II combat areas, including the European, African and Middle-Eastern Theater associated with the 458th Surgical Hospital's war service as a medical hospital ship platoon. The red cross represents medical assistance. The helmet is green, symbolizing health and rejuvenation. Red also represents courage of the medic under battle conditions.
The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 21 February 1990.