On a blue disc 2 1/2 inches (6.35 cm)( in diameter a winged numeral 8 1 3/4 inches (4.45 cm) in height in golden orange, in lower lobe of numeral a white five-pointed star charged with a red disc.
Blue and golden orange are the colors of the Army Air Forces. The winged figure 8 represents the power and mobility of the Eighth Air Force. The white five-pointed star with the red center is the Army Air Force star.
The shoulder sleeve insignia was approved on 20 May 1943.