A gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches (3.02 cm) in height overall consisting of a gold winged staff on a light blue (celestial) background protruding above three maroon mountain peaks, in base a gold rising sun charged with a red cross issuing six gold rays, all on a gold triangle with point down and flanked on each side with a green frond of palm.
The winged staff hovering over the three obstacles alludes to the mobile and evacuation capabilities of the hospital unit in Vietnam, and in New Guinea, Leyte and Luzon during World War II. The rising sun, charged with the red cross, an emblem of hospital units, symbolizes the Presidential Unit Citation award. The palm branches stand for the unit's life-sustaining achievements. The "THREE" mountains and the "SIX" sun rays further distinguish the numerical designation of the 36th Evacuation Hospital. Maroon is a color used by the Medical Department.
The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 18 November 1968.