On a rectangular background with an arched top 3 3/8 inches 8.57 cm) in height divided fesswise debased red and blue, two bars wavy 1/8 inch (.32 cm) in width below a five-pointed star 1 3/8 inches (3.49 cm) in diameter within a 3/16 inch (.48 cm) white border.
The white star above the wavy bars is representative of the organization which brought the first gleam of hope to a world red with blood and flames over the blue Mediterranean.
The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved for the United States Army Forces in the Middle East on 29 April 1944. It was redesignated for the Africa-Middle East Theater effective 1 March 1945.