The Decorations of an "Iconoclast General"

FROM EARNING A SILVER STAR for his command of the Eagle Troop of the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment at the Battle of 73 Easting in the Gulf War, to receiving his third award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal upon his retirement in 2018, H.R. McMaster has collected near countless military decorations. Get an inside look at his celebrated career through a selection of these awards below, listed in order of precedence, and see if you can spot them on the cover.

The Army Distinguished Service Medal is presented to soldiers who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service to the government in a duty of great responsibility.

The Silver Star is the United States Armed Forces’ third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. It is awarded primarily for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.

The Defense Superior Service Medal is bestowed by the Department of Defense upon service members who perform superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility.

The Legion of Merit is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements and is typically reserved for senior officers at O-6 level and above.

The Bronze Star is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who have distinguished themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement or service.

The Purple Heart is awarded in the name of the president to those wounded or killed while serving. The Purple Heart is the oldest military award still given to U.S. military members.

The Valorous Unit Award is the second highest United States Army unit decoration. It is awarded to units which display extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy of the United States.

The Humanitarian Service Medal is awarded for meritorious participation in humanitarian military acts or operations, such as natural disaster relief, evacuation of non-combatants from a hostile area, or support to refugees.

The Kuwait Liberation Medal was issued by the government of Kuwait to both local and foreign military personnel who served in the Persian Gulf War’s “Liberation of Kuwait” campaign.