Ribbon for Defense Distinguished Service worn by General Colin L. Powell

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

One (1) Defense Distinguished Service ribbon with two (2) Oak Leaf clusters worn by General Colin L. Powell, earned for his non-combat related military service. The Defense Distinguished Service Award is the United States Department of Defense's highest award and the highest joint service decoration, awarded only while assigned to a joint activity. This square metal and cloth ribbon (also called service ribbon or ribbon bar) features three (3) striped colors in the following order: light blue, yellow, red, yellow, and light blue. The two bronze oak leaf clusters, uniquely designated for service members of the U.S. Army and Air Force, lay over the middle red and yellow stripes and indicate additional awards of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal for General Powell. When worn on the Army Service uniform, it is attached at the proper left chest above the breast pocket.

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