A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a gold bayonet, point up surmounting the cross bar of a gold fleur-de-lis, overall a saltire divided horizontally blue and gray with the center portion masoned gold between four gold five-pointed stars, all between eight symmetrical alternating gold and white wavy bars, chevronwise between the outer edge of the blue portion of the saltire and in base a red double concave scroll passing behind the hilt of the bayonet and inscribed ALWAYS FAITHFUL in gold letters.
Scarlet and white are the colors used for the Corps of Engineers. The masonry is symbolic of construction, the bayonet of combat, the wavy bars of flowing water, and the saltire of support all indicative of the units overall mission. Blue and gray refer to the Civil War, and the bayonet denotes the units activation in the New York State Militia as the 74th Infantry Regiment at Buffalo, the four stars representing the organizations participation in the Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Gettysburg Campaigns. The fleur-de-lis denotes the units service in France during World War I. The wavy bars allude to the cascading as well as the lake waters in and near Buffalo, the units present home.
The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 15 April 1971.