Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Superior Service Medal to Colonel (Infantry) Richard David Hooker, Jr., United States Army, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense as Special Assistant to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, from 1997 to 1998. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel (Infantry) Hooker reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.