The U.S. military decoration called this "cluster" denotes multiple bestowals of an award such as the Purple Heart
[DOC] [TLE] StateMaster - Encyclopedia: David H. Hackworth [PAR] 7.1 Individual decorations and service medals; 7.2 Unit awards; 7.3 Badges and 
tabs ... After the war, he lied about his age (15) to enlist in the U.S. Army, and was 
... as a lieutenant and several medals for valor along with multiple Purple Hearts 
for .... in Vietnam, said the war couldn't be won and called for U.S. withdrawal.