What does the term well decorated Soldier refer to.

Colorful lights and shiny round ornaments! I actually have no idea who started it and what qualifies, so I guess I stick with first thought. They say COL David Hackworth was decorated.........

Are you refering to the term "highly decorated Soldier"? The best I could muster up was a small section in AR 600-8-22 Military Awards. here is a copy/paste from that reg.

1–40. Increased retired pay based on decorations—enlisted awardees
a. 10 USC 3991 provides that any enlisted member who is credited with extraordinary heroism in line of duty who
retires after 20 or more years active Federal service, is entitled to 10 percent increase in retired pay, subject to the 75
percent limit on total retired pay. Any awardee of the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or
Air Force Cross satisfies the requirement for extraordinary heroism. An enlisted awardee of the Distinguished Flying
Cross awarded for non-combat-related heroism, or the Soldier’s Medal may be credited by the Secretary of the Army
with extraordinary heroism only if it is determined that the heroism displayed was equivalent to that required for award
of the Distinguished Service Cross. These provisions affect enlisted personnel who retire and who have been credited
with extraordinary heroism whether or not such heroism was displayed while the individual was serving in enlisted
status.
b. Enlisted recipients of any of the six decorations referred to above will complete item 14 of the DA Form 2339
(Application for Voluntary Retirement), when applying for retirement. If the recipient has not previously done so,
written request for determination and confirmation of entitlement to increased retired pay will be forwarded to
Commander, USAHRC, AHRC–PDO–PA, Alexandria, VA 22332–0471. The request will be accompanied by a copy
of the order which awards the decoration and the citation, if not included in the order.

Lots of tinsel?