U.S. Military Award Devices

Except for the Medal of Honor, all awards in the Pyramid of Honor can be awarded multiple times for different acts. Each successive award is noted by a device worn on the ribbon for the first award.

The following are devices that are worn on either or both the ribbon bar and suspension ribbon of Military Decorations. In most cases, the individual services prescribe how the device is displayed with the exception of defense awards which are determined by the Assistant Secretary of Defense. A maximum of four devices may be worn on any single ribbon.

Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster

Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster

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.

Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Gold Star Device

Gold Star

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.

Gold Star Device
Silver Oak Leaf Cluster

Silver Oak Leaf Cluster

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.

Silver Oak Leaf Cluster
Silver Star Device

Silver Star

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.

Silver Star Device
Bronze Star Device

Bronze Service Star

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.

Bronze Star Device
Silver Star Device

Silver Service Star

Smaller in size than the Silver Star, worn in lieu of 5 Bronze Service Stars.

Silver Star Device
Bronze V Device

Bronze "V" Device

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 V Device
Bronze Numeral Devices

Bronze Numeral Device

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.

Bronze Numeral Devices
Bronze Arrowhead

Bronze Arrowhead

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.

Bronze Arrowhead

Hourglass Device

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.

Good Conduct Medal Clasp

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 and Japan Clasps

Germany and Japan Clasps

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.

Germany and Japan Clasps
Berlin Airlift Device

Berlin Airlift Device

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.

Berlin Airlift Device

Gold Antarctica Device

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.

Fleet Marine Device

Fleet Marine Device

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.

Fleet Marine Device

Mobilization Device

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.

Silver O Device

Silver O Device

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.

Silver O Device
Bronze A Device

Bronze "A" Device

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.

Bronze A Device
Europe and Asia Clasps

Europe and Asia Clasps

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

Europe and Asia Clasps

Silver "W"

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