oak leaf cluster

American

noun

a U.S. military decoration in the form of a small bronze twig bearing four oak leaves and three acorns, worn on the ribbon of another decoration for valor, wounds, or distinguished service to signify a second award of the same medal.

oak-leaf cluster British

noun

an insignia consisting of oak leaves and acorns awarded to holders of certain military decorations to indicate a further award of the same decoration

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of oak leaf cluster

An Americanism dating back to 1915–20

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He ended his army career as a major of artillery in Gen. George S. Patton’s Third Army, earning a bronze star with an oak leaf cluster for his actions.

From Washington Times • Jan. 13, 2021

In the 1960s, Stone was awarded a bronze star and a purple heart with oak leaf cluster for heroism in Vietnam.

From The Guardian • Apr. 15, 2013

For his wartime service, he was awarded a Purple Heart, a Distinguished Flying Cross and an Air Medal with oak leaf cluster.

From New York Times • Jul. 23, 2011

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023