SHOULDER SLEEVE INSIGNIA. Description: On a 2 1/2 inch ultramarine blue disc, a white galleon with a red Maltese cross on the sail, riding on white wave lines with a 1/8 inch ultramarine blue border. The overall dimension is 2 3/4 inches in diameter.

    Symbolism: The galleon is symbolic of the Caribbean area. This type of ship is usually associated with the Caribbean area since it predominated during the Spanish regime. The blue background represents the color of the Caribbean Sea. The Maltese cross was the insignia of Columbus, the first explorer to land in the Caribbean area.

    Background: The insignia was originally approved for the Caribbean Defense Command on 3 May 44; redesignated for the United States Army, Caribbean on 2 Feb 48; redesignated for the United States Army Forces Southern Command on 11 Jul 63; and reassigned for the United States Army South on 1 Apr 87.

DISTINCTIVE UNIT INSIGNIA. Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches in height consisting of a rectangle arced at top and bottom divided saltirewise gold and red and bearing a stylized blue "S"; overall a white Spanish galleon charged on the upper fore-topsail with a red cross formy, all enclosed at the bottom by a gold scroll inscribed "DEFENSE AND FRATERNITY" in black.

    Symbolism: The Spanish galleon and the colors red and gold are historically associated with the Caribbean and the command's theater of operations. The stylized "S" underscores the designation of the command, "South," while suggesting the two bodies of water -- the Atlantic (Caribbean) and the Pacific-- connected by the Panama Canal, with the red areas representing Central and South America.

    Background: The insignia was originally approved for US Army Forces Southern Command on 14 Jun 69 and redesignated for US Army South on 1 Apr 87.