Following outrage from veterans groups and lawmakers that a new medal could honor UAV operators more highly than combat troops awarded Purple Hearts and Bronze Stars, newly appointed Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a review of the award.As HuffPo’s Amanda Terkel explained:The newly created Distinguished Warfare Medal, approved last month by then-Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, will honor members of the military for “extraordinary” achievements since Sept. 11, 2001. The accomplishments do not have to be restricted to a geographic region, meaning that remote warfare — such as drone operations — could be recognized. What upset many of the medal’s critics was not the creation of the award, but its so-called “order of precedence” that would put it above several traditional combat medals.Continue Reading…
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Hagel orders review of drone pilot medal
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