Military Award Devices

The Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster is administered by the U.S. Army and Air Force (with exception to Department of Defense awards). Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters are given for the second and subsequent awards, with a maximum of four.

The Gold Star is worn with medals and ribbons issued by the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force, and others. It indicates the second and subsequent awards of the same medal with a maximum of four.

Administered by the U.S. Army and Air Force. A single Silver Oak Leaf Cluster is bestowed to the recipient of six awards for a particular decoration, replacing what would be five Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters.

Issued by the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Silver star devices are issued in lieu of five gold, meaning it is provided for the 6th, 11th, 16, and so on, for subsequent awards. There are no higher degrees of award stars authorized in lieu of five silver star devices.

Smaller in size than the gold star. The Bronze Service Star device is worn to indicate participation in campaigns or operations, multiple qualifications, or an additional award of the same medal or ribbon.

The Bronze "V" Device indicates an award for valor. It's worn on decorations for acts of valor and other qualifications. The "V" device does not denote a second award but indicates the award was for combat heroism. Only one "V" device may be worn on any ribbon but may be worn with Oak Leaf Clusters that indicate additional awards of the same medal.

Bronze Numeral Devices are Arabic numerals attached to certain ribbons and medals to denote multiple decorations of the same award. These devices are particularly unique in that the U.S. Army is the only military branch to use numerals.

The Bronze Arrowhead Device is bestowed by the U.S. Army as an attachment to specific service medals. It's awarded to personnel who have been a part of a combat parachute drop, combat glider attack, helicopter assault landing, or an amphibious assault.

The Hourglass Device is awarded to members of the Armed Forces as an attachment to the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. Recipients demonstrated total service as part of the Reserve or National Guard.
Bronze = 10 yrs. of service; Silver = 20 yrs. of service; Gold = 30 yrs. of service; Bronze & Gold = 40 yrs. of service.

Issued by the U.S. Army and Air Force. It is worn on the ribbons of Good Conduct Medals to indicate subsequent awards. Its color and number of knots indicate the number of awards:

• Bronze with one knot = 1st, with two knots = 5th
• Silver with one knot = 6th, with two knots = 10th
• Gold with one knot = 11th, with two knots = 15th

Germany Bar is bestowed to recipients of the World War II Army, Navy, and Marine Corps Occupation Medal's who served in European regions following WWII.

Japan Bar is bestowed to recipients of the World War II Army, Navy, and Marine Corps Occupation Medal's who served in Asian regions following WWII.

The Berlin Airlift Device is awarded as an attachment to the World War II Army Occupation Medal and Navy Occupation Service Medal. It's awarded to personnel who participated in the Berlin Airlift for at least 90 days between 1948 and 1949.

The Berlin Airlift Device is awarded as an attachment to the World War II Army Occupation Medal and Navy Occupation Service Medal. It's awarded to personnel who participated in the Berlin Airlift for at least 90 days between 1948 and 1949.

The Fleet Marine Device - or Combat Operations Insignia - is a U.S. Marine Corps decoration attachment to various campaign medals and Navy Service Ribbons. It's awarded to Navy service members who have been part of a Fleet Marine Force Unit while in active service with an armed opponent.

The bronze Mobilization Device or "M" Device is worn as an attachment in the center of the U.S. Armed Forces Reserve Ribbon. It's awarded to those who have served in a recall to active duty from a reserve sector or National Guard.

The silver Operational Distinguishing Device or "O" Device is a U.S. Coast Guard decoration that's worn as an attachment to the Coast Guard Unit Commendation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, and the Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon.

The Bronze "A" Device is a decoration that has two different versions worn as an attachment on either the center of the American Defense Service Medal or the Air Force Overseas Service Ribbon. This award was given to members of the Navy who participated in potentially armed combat with German naval forces while deployed to the Atlantic Ocean during the undeclared war between June 22 and December 7, 1941.

Worn on the suspension ribbon of the Navy Occupation Service Medal (Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard)

Worn by Naval Personnel on the Navy and Marine Corps Expeditionary Medals to indicate participation in the defense of Wake Island