- Issued by
- United States Department of Defense
- Worn by
- General Powell, Colin L., American, 1937 - 2021
- Subject of
- United States Army, American, founded 1775
- United States Armed Forces, American, founded 1775
- Date
- 1981-1993
- Medium
- polyester on brass (alloy)
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 3/8 × 1 7/16 × 3/16 in. (1 × 3.7 × 0.5 cm)
- Caption
- Colin Powell was awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal four times between 1981 and 1993 for exceptionally meritorious service contributing to the national security or defense of the United States while serving with the Department of Defense. Beyond the first award, each subsequent award of this medal is denoted by an oak leaf cluster. The two oak leaf clusters on this ribbon bar indicate that this was Powell's third award, which he received in 1989.
- Description
- 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.
- Place used
- Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Awards, Medals, and Insignia
- Type
- insignias
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Alma J. Powell
- Object number
- A2022.101.1.61
- Restrictions & Rights
- No known copyright restrictions
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




