US Gen. David Petraeus And His Medals

Gen. David Petraeus, the commander of American forces in the Middle East, showed an impressive haul of honours

Gen. David Petraeus and his medals numbered. See below

U.S. Central Command General David Petraeus leaves 10 Downing Street in London Photo: AP

They included (see key above):

1 Four star general insignia

2 101st Airborne Division Distinctive Unit insignia

3 French Parachutist Badge

4 from left, Joint Meritorious Unit Award (with three oak leaf clusters); Army Meritorious Unit Commendation; Army Superior Unit Award

5 Army Staff Identification badge

6 Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

7 US Central Command Badge

8 Master Parachutist Badge

9 Air Assault Badge

10 Top: Defence Distinguished Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster)

2nd row, from left: Distinguished Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster); Defence Superior Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster)

3rd row: Legion of Merit (with 3 oak leaf clusters); Bronze Star (with V device)

4th row: Defence Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 oak leaf clusters)

5th row: Army Commendation Medal (with 2 oak leaf clusters); Joint Service Achievement Award

6th row: State Department Secretary’s Distinguished Service Award; State Department Superior Honour Award

7th row: Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (with 2 service stars); Iraq Campaign Medal (with 4 service stars)

8th row: Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Armed Forces Service Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal

9th row: Army Overseas Service Ribbon (with award number 3); Gold Award of the Iraqi Order of the Date Palm; French Officer Order of the Legion of Honour

10th row: French Military Campaign Medal; United Nations Mission in Haiti Medal; Nato Meritorious Service Medal; Nato Medal for Yugoslavia (with service star)

11 Combat action Badge

12 Ranger tab

13 US Central Command Patch worn as Current Unit of Assignment

Right arm (unseen):

101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Patch

Nine Overseas Service Bars

Gen Petraeus has at least 13 other medals and badges including the British Parachutist’ Badge unseen in this particular photograph.

[ via Telegraph.co.uk ]