Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

Description:
On a blue Norman shield 2 5/8 inches high and 2 1/3 inches wide, four white stars of varying sizes all slightly tipped to the dexter, arranged to represent the Southern Cross.

Symbolism:
The four white stars on the blue field are symbolic of the Southern Cross under which the organization has served. The blue shield color is for infantry.

Also see "Combat Patch"

Americal Division Crest

Description:
A gold colored metal and enamel device 1 3/8 inches in height overall, consisting of a blue saltire bearing four white stars one near each end, and centered vertically thereover a gold sword with hilt in base upon a red field edged with gold and behind the sword point at top a red arrowhead point up upon the center of a gold radiant sun, and centered horizontally with shank passing behind the saltire a gold anchor with crown at left and ring at right with cable passing through and behind the arms of the saltire; all above a gold scroll inscribed "Americal" in blue.

Symbolism:
The saltire alludes to New Caledonia in the Southwest Pacific where the division was first activated on 27 May 1942, and with its blue color (for infantry) and four white stars forms a "Southern Cross" and refers to the division's shoulder sleeve insignia and the area in which the division initially served. The four stars (the brightest in the Southern Cross constellation) also allude to the four campaigns of World War II in which the division participated. The anchor refers to the Presidential Unit Citation (Navy) awarded the division for Guadalcanal, and the red arrowhead and Phillipine sun for the assault landing in the Southern Phillipines and the award of the Phillipine Presidential Unit Citation. The unsheathed sword with point to top refers to service in Vietnam. The division is one of the few within the U.S. Army to bear initially a name instead of a number, and former designation "Americal" was adopted as a nickname, the association being both inspirational and historically significant.