Coin has a large Ranger insignia in the upper two thirds of the medal. The Ranger insignia is a shield with four cantons. A lightning bolt goes from the upper right canton to the lower left canton. The upper left canton has a 12 pointed star. The lower right canton has a five pointed star. The 12 pointed star is the Sun symbol from the Chinese Nationalist Flag and represents the unit's close cooperation with the Chinese forces in the China-Burma-India Theater. The five-point star represents the Star of Burma. The lightning bolt is symbolic of behind-the-lines strikes, a specialty of the Rangers.

Along the upper edge of the coin it says "MERRILL'S MARAUDERS" which is a "nickname" for the Rangers. The Rangers trace their history to the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional) commanded by Brigadier General Frank Merrill during World War II. Below that legend and above the insignia is the date "OCT.3,1943" which is the date the 5307th came into existence. There are two banners behind and to either side of the insignia. The upper banner to our left of the insignia says "MYITKYINA" and to our right of the insignia says "BINHDUONS". The lower banner to our left of the insignia says "THUATHIEN" and to our right of the insignia says "VIETNAM". Below the insignia are three lines listing locations as follows "CHINA-BURMA-INDIA", "KOREA-VIETNAM" and "PANAMA-SOMALIA". Along the lower edge is the motto "SUA SPONTE" which means "OF THEIR OWN ACCORD". The coin has a smooth plain raised edge, and a plain and smooth background.

The center of the medal has a small scroll partially unrolled, with a rod through the rolled up portion at the top. This is where the name of the receipient can be engraved (in small letters). Above the scroll near the top of the coin are two banners. The upper banner simply says "RANGER". The lower banner says "3^D RANGER B^N". Below the banners and above the scroll are two lines. The upper line says "OCTOBER 3, 1984" and the lower line says "FT. BENNING, GA". This is the date and location where the 3rd Battalion was activated.

To the right of the scroll are two design features and to the left are two design features. To our upper left, the design feature is a parachute with feathered wings on it. Above the parachute is a small five-point star in a wreath of feathered wings. This is the badge of a Master Parachutist. To our lower left is something that looks like a rounded triangle with a small circle in it. This is actually an antique diver's helmet and is the SCUBA Diver badge. To our upper right is a rifle inside a box, with a wreath behind the box. This is the Combat Infantryman badge. To our lower right is a torch with one feathered wing on it. This is the Pathfinder badge.

Below the scroll is a line with the date May 25, 1943. This apparently is an error and should be May 21, 1943, the date when the 3rd Ranger Battalion was activated at vic Nemours, Morocco in North Africa. Next are two lines of locations which say "LICATA ^. MAJORA" and "ANZIO ^. CISTERNA". Along the bottom edge of the medal is the legend "RANGERS LEAD THE WAY". The coin has a smooth plain raised edge, and a plain and smooth background.

A and B Companies, 3rd Battalion and the 2nd Ranger Battalion performed a combat parachute assault on the Panamanian military base at Rio Hato starting about 1 AM the morning of December 20th, 1989 as part of Operation Just Cause. They were known as Task Force Red - Romeo. They took the runway in 30 minutes, and spirited defense by the PDF ended within two hours. The Ranger killed 34 Panamanians and wounded an undetermined number. They captured 362 PDF soldiers. The Rangers lost four soldiers, and suffered 18 wounded in the fight and 26 injuried in the drop. Killed in action from the 3rd Battalion were Staff Sergeant Larry Barnard and PFC Roy Dennis Brown, Jr.

C Company, 3rd Battalion and the 1st Ranger Battalion performed a combat parachute assault on Torrijos/Tocumen air fields during the night of December 19th and early morning of December 20th, 1989 as part of Operation Just Cause. They were known as Task Force Red - Tango. By 2:10 AM on the morning of the 20th the Rangers were successful in eliminating PDF resistance at the airport complex. They suffered a handful of casualties including one fatality.