A silver and enamel badge 1 inch in height and 3 inches in width, consisting of an
infantry musket on a light blue bar with a silver border, on and over an elliptical oak
wreath. Stars are added at the top of the wreath to indicate subsequent awards; one
star for the second award and two stars for the third award.

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The bar is blue, the color associated with the Infantry branch. The musket is adapted
from the Infantry insignia of branch and represents the first official U.S. shoulder arm,
the 1795 model Springfield Arsenal musket. It was adopted as the official Infantry
branch insignia in 1924. The oak symbolizes steadfastness, strength and loyalty.

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There are basically three requirements for award of the CIB.  The Soldier must be an
Infantryman satisfactorily performing Infantry duties, must be assigned to an Infantry
unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat, and must
actively participate in such ground combat.

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The Combat Infantryman Badge was approved by the Secretary of War on 7 October
1943 and announced in War Department Circular 269 dated 27 October 1943. On 8
February 1952, the Chief of Staff, Army, approved a proposal to add stars to the
Combat Infantryman Badge to indicate award of the badge in separate wars. Under
this change in policy, the badge was no longer limited to a one-time award, but could
now be awarded to eligible individuals for each war in which they participated.  The
policy was expanded to permit award to Command Sergeants Major of infantry battalions or brigades, effective 1 December 1967.  On 11 February 2005, the Chief of Staff, Army, approved changes to the CIB policy.