Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Monday he's scrapping a controversial proposed medal for drone operators and cyber troops, bowing to pressure from Congress and veterans groups. Instead, the Pentagon will create a special designation it will apply to existing medals.
The criteria for eligibility will be determined after a 90-day review by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and each of the service chiefs, Hagel said.
Continue Reading "The Joint Chiefs of Staff, with the concurrence of the service secretaries, have recommended the creation of a new distinguishing device that can be affixed to existing medals to recognize such extraordinary actions of this small number of men and women," Hagel said in a statement. "I agree with the Joint Chiefs' findings, and have directed the creation of a distinguishing device instead of a separate medal."
Hagel halted production of the medal last month after an outpouring of criticism over the medal's ranking, which would've placed it above the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
Critics of the medal applauded Hagel's decision.
"I applaud Secretary Hagel's decision to rescind the Distinguished Warfare Medal and uphold the honor our nation bestows on those who have earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart," said Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), the ranking Republican of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "These medals have been awarded to generations of men and women for bravely putting their lives in harm's way to preserve the freedoms we cherish today. It was the right decision to continue to first and foremost recognize those military personnel who exemplify great valor on the battlefield."
Another critic, New Hampshire Sen. Kelly Ayotte, agreed. "I applaud Secretary Hagel's decision and his willingness to listen to the widespread concerns of veterans across the nation," she said. "Today's announcement helps ensure that our highest and most sacred military awards are reserved for those who risk their lives in combat."
Just the same, critics of the Distinguished Warfare Medal's proposed ranking said they understood the need to recognize drone operators and cyber operators.
