United States: Defence Distinguished Service Medal. With 4 x 'Bronze Oakleaf Clusters' on riband

After the Medal of Honor and the respective services Distinguished Service Crosse's, the Defense DSM is the third highest decoration in the United States Armed Forces 'Pyramid of Honor'

The 4 x 'Bronze Oakleaf Clusters' device denotes that the wearer was the recipient of a 4 x furthers awards of the decoration = a total of 5 x DDSM awards

Medal riband fitted with 9mm crimp brooch with long-hinged pin & intricate drop-lock clasp fittings, as issued

The mounting brooch with Federal Government contractor hallmark for 'G27'

As of 2024, there have been at least 14 x recipients of the DDSM with 4 x oakleaf clusters (there has also been a recipient with 6 x OLC's, and 3 x recipients of the DDSM with 5 x clasps). Amongst the recipients of the DDSM with 4 x OLC's, are included:

- General David Petraeus
- General Colin Powell
- General John Shalikashvilli

The Defense Distinguished Service Medal (DDSM) is senior most decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces (all services and branches) while engaged in an exclusively 'Joint Service' capacity

The decoration while open to both commissioned and enlisted ranks, is in practise generally awarded to senior officers in the flag and general officer grades, followed by a lesser number of colonels and USN and USCG captains. The medal is presented in the name of the Secretary of Defense and was established by President Richard Nixon on, 9 July 1970, per Executive Order 11505. The award of the DDSM take precedence over all of the other service distinguished service medals

Scarce seen

Condition: EF

Code: 23542