Definition

Noun: A bronze or silver miniature metal device shaped like a cluster of oak leaves and acorns. It is a United States military decoration attached to a ribbon or medal to signify that the award has been granted multiple times.

Usage

The oak leaf cluster is worn on the ribbon of a previously awarded medal to denote a subsequent award of the same medal.

Examples

• The soldier received an oak leaf cluster for his second award of the Air Medal.
• A silver oak leaf cluster is worn in lieu of five bronze ones.
• The citation noted the valor that merited an oak leaf cluster for his Distinguished Flying Cross.

Advanced Usage

• In Lieu Of: A silver oak leaf cluster represents five bronze oak leaf clusters. This system prevents the ribbon from being cluttered with multiple devices.
• Placement: It is typically centered on the suspension ribbon of the medal or on the service ribbon bar when the full medal is not worn.

Variants and Related Words

• Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster: Denotes a second through fifth award of a specific medal.
• Silver Oak Leaf Cluster: Denotes a sixth through tenth award, and so on, with each silver cluster representing five bronze ones.

Synonyms

• Award device
• Service clasp (in a general, non-U.S. specific context)
• Medal attachment

Notes on Meaning

This term refers specifically to the U.S. military decoration device. It is not used to describe an actual cluster of leaves from an oak tree in this context. The design symbolizes strength and endurance.

Noun

1. a United States military decoration consisting of bronze or silver oak leaves and acorns awarded to anyone who has won a given medal before