On an ultramarine blue shield 2 3/4 inches (6.99cm) in height and 2 3/8 inches (6.03 cm) in width with a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) golden orange border a white star 3/4 inch (1.91 cm) in diameter charged with a red disc all within a white winged annulet upheld by four golden orange rays, the top outline of the shield arched parallel to the annulet.
The shield being symbolic of a headquarters furnishes the background. The Army Air Force colors, blue and gold, are incorporated into a blue sky and the gold, the rays of the setting sun, symbolic of the Golden Gate and location of Headquarters Fourth Air Force. The four rays of the setting sun, extending toward the heavens, represent the Fourth Air Force, supporting the Army Air Forces (which is indicated by the Air Force star with wings attached thereto) in this Theatre of Operations.
The shoulder sleeve insignia was approved on 1 September 1943.