Oak Leaf Cluster - Description and Wear

Description and Wear

An oak leaf cluster is a miniature oak leaf metal device and formed as a twig of four leaves with three acorns on the stem. The 13/32 inch clusters are worn on the suspension ribbon of certain medals and the 5/16 inch clusters are worn on certain service ribbons. These devices are worn with the stems of the leaves pointing to the wearer’s right. If four oak leaf clusters are worn on the suspension ribbon of a medal, the fourth is placed above the middle one in the row of three. No more than four oak leaf clusters can be worn side-by-side on service ribbons. If the number of authorized oak leaf clusters exceeds four and will not fit on a single ribbon, a second ribbon is authorized for wear. When the second ribbon is worn, it is placed after the first ribbon. The second ribbon counts as one award, after which additional oak leaf clusters are added to the second ribbon. If future awards reduce the number of oak leaf clusters worn on the first ribbon due to bronze oak leaf clusters being replaced by a silver oak leaf cluster, the second ribbon is removed and the appropriate number of devices is placed on the first ribbon.