What 6 Rows of Ribbons Mean

Lt. Col. Oliver L. North wore six glittering rows of ribbons on his Marine Corps uniform Tuesday--plus a badge denoting service on the staff of the President, the job from which he was fired last November for his part in the diversion of Iranian arms profits to the Nicaraguan contras.

North’s service ribbons include the Silver Star, the nation’s third-highest award for gallantry in combat; the Bronze Star, with a “V” for valor on the battlefield; and the Purple Heart with a star, awarded for twice being wounded in Vietnam.

He also wears the Navy Achievement Medal and several other decorations for more routine accomplishments, as well as parachutist’s wings and two marksmanship medals.

North’s most unusual decoration, however, is the large blue-and-gold replica of the presidential seal on his right breast pocket, the White House staff badge.

Once that badge was reserved for military officers actually serving on the President’s staff. But a recent rule change allows former White House staff officers, like North, to continue wearing the badge--even though his actions helped plunge President Reagan into the worst crisis of his presidency.