No Medal For Drone Pilots And Cyber Warriors

The controversial Distinguished Service Medal has been scrapped in favor of a device that can be attached to previously existing medals, the Pentagon announced Monday.

Pentagon Reverses Course On Distinguished Warfare Medal For Drone Pilots And Cyber Warriors -- al.com

The Pentagon is doing away with plans for the Distinguished Warfare Medal, changing the way drone pilots and cyber warriors will be recognized in the future.

In a memo released today, Department of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the recognition will now be given as a distinguished device that will be affixed to existing medals. The final award criteria and the specifics of the distinguished device will be developed in the next three months, Hagel said.

Read more ....

More News On The Pentagon Canceling The Distinguished Warfare Medal

Pentagon cancels divisive Distinguished Warfare Medal for cyber ops, drone strikes -- Washington Post
Hagel Downgrades Drone Operators’ Medal to ‘Device’ -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Chuck Hagel cancels creation of new drone, cyber medal -- Politico
Pentagon calls off new medal for drone, cyber warriors -- AFP
US Defense Secretary Abolishes Distinguished Warfare Medal -- RTT
Pentagon to downgrade award for drone operators -- CNN
Hagel Repeals Drone Service Medal -- Military.com

Distinguished Warfare Medal Cancelled -- Wall Street Journal
Hagel nixes medal for drone pilots, cyberwarriors -- Washington Times
Pentagon Strikes 'Drone Medal' -- US News and World Report

U.S. Secretary Of Defense Hagel Orders A Review Of The Distinguished Warfare Medal

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

New Military Medal For Drone Operators Under Fire: Defense Chief Hagel Orders Review -- NBC

Amid a firestorm of protests from veterans’ groups and lawmakers, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a review of a new military medal for pilots of unmanned drones. The Distinguished Warfare Medal for drone operators was ordered last month by former Defense Sectary Leon Panetta, but it was rankedabove the medals awarded service members who fought under fire on the front lines, the Bronze Star with combat V and the Purple Heart. Critics among veterans and on Capitol Hill argued any medal for drone operators thousands of miles from the battle zone should be ranked below the traditional combat awards.

Read more ....

More News On U.S. Secretary Of Defense Hagel Ordering Review Of The Distinguished Warfare Medal  

Hagel Directs Review of Distinguished Warfare Medal -- US Department of Defense
Hagel Halts Production of Drone Pilot Medals -- Military.com
Official: Production stopped on Distinguished Warfare Medal -- Politico/AP
Hagel Orders Review of 'Drone Medal' -- US News and World Report
Military Medal for Drone Warfare to Be Reviewed by Hagel -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Production on Distinguished Warfare Medal halted, Pentagon agrees to review (updated) -- Al.com
Controversy spurs Pentagon's Hagel to review new 'Nintendo' medal -- Christian Science Monitor
Pentagon to review new medal for drone pilots, cyberwarriors -- Washington Times
Chuck Hagel Orders Review Of Distinguished Warfare Medal For Drone Pilots -- Huffington Post
Hagel to review criteria for drone medal -- CNN
Hagel asks Joint Chiefs to reconsider drone medal -- The E-Ring/Foreign Policy
No medals for drone pilots: Hagel puts a hold on cyberwarfare award -- RT
US Distinguished Warfare Medal ‘Under Review’ by Defense Dept. -- RIA Novosti
Defense Secretary Hagel reconsiders the new Distinguished Warfare Medal (Video) -- Examiner
Hagel might reverse Panetta’s decision to rank drone medal above Bronze Star -- Washington Examiner
Good riddance to a medal -- Washington Times editorial
In the drone wars, everyone gets a medal: Obama’s military confuses honor with bravery -- David G. Bolgiano and G. John Taylor, Washington Times

Is The New U.S. Drone Medal A Reflection Of Political Bias?

Image: The Pentagon is creating the Distinguished Warfare Medal to recognize UAV pilots.

Dems Clueless About Combat -- Russ Vaughn, American Thinker

Warfare has progressed geometrically since I was a young sergeant on the ground in Vietnam. The huge advances in computers and electronics have given our American forces capabilities never before possessed in any of our previous wars. Among the most widely known of these is drone warfare, wherein an unmanned, armed, aerial vehicle enters enemy airspace, guided by an office-based pilot somewhere many thousands of miles from the actual conflict, and launches lethal missiles against detected targets.

To this old infantryman's way of thinking, that is a great concept. The idea of being able to win wars from the air goes back to WWI; the concept was used to great effect in WWII, when strategic bombings in Germany and Japan greatly degraded the fighting ability of both those countries and undoubtedly saved tens of thousands of American servicemen's lives. I can't begin to express my gratitude to those Air Force and Naval aviators who flew over my ground positions and delivered lethal ordinance on my enemies in the hills, mountains, and rice paddies of South Vietnam. But for them, I might not be writing this.

Read more ....

My Comment: I am not a "liberal Democrat" .... but I do see the value of having such a medal. Should it be the same (or better) as a Bronze Star .... I would definitely say no .... but even if it is I suspect that among the men and women within the military they will probably recognize the drone medal for what it is .... and a Bronze Star for what it is .... even though "it's official level and status" may say something else.

Update: Burn Pit is on a tear over the drone medal. Go here for the link. Hat Tip: Bring the heat. Bring the Stupid.

Pentagon Pressured To Drop New Drone Medal Below Rank Of Bronze Star

Image: The Pentagon is creating the Distinguished Warfare Medal to recognize UAV pilots.

Obama Pressured To Drop New Hero Medal For Drone And Cyber Warriors Below Rank Of Bronze Star -- Washington Times

More than 5,000 people have signed a petition urging the White House to lower the ranking of a new medal for drone pilots and cyberwarfare specialists that has drawn criticism for its ranking above the Bronze Star.

“Under no circumstance should a medal that is designed to honor a pilot, that is controlling a drone via remote control, thousands of miles away from the theater of operation, rank above a medal that involves a soldier being in the line of fire on the ground,” the petition posted on the White House website says.

The Washington Times first reported Friday that some warriors inside the Pentagon were questioning and mocking Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta’s decision last week to create the Distinguished Warfare Medal for cyber- and drone-combatants who sit inside stations outside a war zone.

Read more ....

My Comment: The petition website is here. Will the Pentagon listen to these complaints .... for the moment no. The Pentagon has also been very clear on why this medal should be awarded as is.

More Criticism Of The Distinguished Warfare Medal That Recognizes UAV Pilots

Image: The Pentagon is creating the Distinguished Warfare Medal to recognize UAV pilots.

Purple Heart Group: New Medal ‘Insulting’ -- Army Times

The Military Order of the Purple Heart is the latest veterans group to call for the Pentagon to reconsider its new medal honoring drone pilots and others who are not actually serving in combat, calling it “degrading and insulting” to veterans who served on the ground in wartime.

The order, a nationwide network of troops and veterans who sustained physical injuries in combat, issued a statement Friday criticizing the new Distinguished Warfare Medal, which was unveiled this week and is intended to recognize troops in high-tech career fields who affect the battlefield without actually being in theater.

Read more ....

My Comment: The opposition is growing, there is now an online petition to change the medal’s ‘order of precedence’. As to what is my take on this debate .... war and technology to wage war is evolving and changing very quickly. Drones and robots are going to play a bigger and more important role in the years to come, and in some cases they will be the only participants .... as a result .... the men and women do need to be recognized for their efforts.

What Some In The Military Feel About Drone Medals

Facebook

Viral Photo Sums Up Military's Feeling About Drone Medals -- Business Insider

There's been a near unanimous outcry from the military "underground" since the Pentagon announced new medals for drone pilots.

In particular, servicemembers find it unjustifiable that the medal would fall higher than a Bronze Star for Valor, which requires actual courage in the face of the enemy.

Surfacing just hours after the announcement on The Duffel Blog facebook page, somebody with Photoshop skills put together an image of an XBox controller hanging below Bronze Star colors. The image is both a play on the new medal, as well as a shout out to the Bronze Star with Valor distinguishing device.

Read more ....

My Comment: They may laugh now .... but as technology improves and drones get more effective and lethal .... there will be a point where many in the military will appreciate having drones circling above them when they are on missions and/or engaged with the enemy .... and will give them the recognition and medals that they deserve.

Pentagon Creates A Special Medal For Drone Pilots And Cyber Warriors

REUTERS/Skip Peterson

The Pentagon's Planning Combat Medals For Drone Pilots Nowhere Close To Battle -- Business Insider

Combat award citations often include the phrase "for heroic achievement in connection with ground combat operations," but that's set to change with a new award announced for troops that launch drone strikes or direct cyberattacks against the enemy.

The blue, red and white Distinguished Warfare Medal will be given to servicemembers that demonstrate "extraordinary achievement" related to a military operation after 9/11. But unlike every other combat award, it does not require the recipient to risk her or her life, according to the Associated Press.

Read more ....

More News On the Pentagon Creating A Special Medal For Drone Pilots And Cyber Warriors

Pentagon to Start Awarding Medals for Drone Strikes and Cyberattacks -- The Atlantic
Pentagon creates new medal for cyber, drone wars -- Boston.com/AP
DoD mints new medal for drone pilots and cyber warriors -- Ars Technica
Pentagon Unveiling Drone Warfare Medal -- Fast Company
Pentagon creates special medal for drone pilots -- RT

U.S. Soldier's Silver Star Upgraded To A Service Cross

U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno presents the Distinguished Service Cross to Sgt. Craig Warfle, from Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, during an award ceremony at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., Oct. 26, 2012. Warfle received the award for his actions during combat operations in Afghanistan.

What This Soldier Did Was So Impressive His Silver Star Was Upgraded To A Service Cross

Specialist Craig Warfle was in a sticky situation.

A CH-46 helicopter had flown through a hail of bullets and dropped off Ranger Element 1, Warfle's team, in the heat of a highly kinetic gunfight with the Taliban. Warfle's team was supposed to suppress the enemy, allowing for Element 2 to assault their position. He hadn't even stepped off the ramp of the helicopter though when plans started falling apart.

Warfle exited the bird and into a wall of heavy, effective, accurate fire. He fell to the ground immediately, alternating fire and low crawling toward the enemy position. Meanwhile both Elements 1 and 2 found themselves pinned down and out of position.

Read more ....

My Comment: It should have been upgraded to the Medal Of Honor.

Did You Get Your Silver Star Medal?

Did Army Award Silver Stars Without Telling Recipients? -- CNN

The accidental posting of personal information online about top Army combat award recipients has created confusion over whether some soldiers were ever told that they had earned Silver Stars for heroism.

At issue is the discovery last week of a document inadvertently published on the Web by a contractor that listed hundreds of valor award recipients beginning in 2001.

The list includes the names and Social Security numbers of Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross recipients from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The list also includes the names of hundreds of Silver Star recipients from the same conflicts, but does not note their Social Security information.

Read more ....

My Comment: Unbelievable .... the Pentagon definitely needs a database to track who gets what medals .... but in an age where massive budget cuts are on the horizon, I suspect that such a database is low on their priority list.

Meet The Man Who Is Cataloging 350,000 Medal-Of-Valor Winners

Doug Sterner looks up information on a military medal winner in his files. Six years ago, he quit his job as a college computer instructor to devote all his attention to his database. (David Zucchino, Los Angeles Times / December 31, 1969)

One Man's Heroic Quest: Cataloging 350,000 Medal-Of-Valor Winners -- L.A. Times

For 14 years, veteran Doug Sterner has been combing military archives to create a list of all the recipients of the top medals of valor, a task the Pentagon is unwilling to do.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Doug Sterner drives from his cluttered apartment here to the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., carrying a portable photocopier and a belief in American heroes.

Inside the Navy archives, he flips through thousands of typed index cards detailing bravery in battle. Sterner pulls out a card and starts reading. He's mesmerized by this story:

Charles Valentine August, a Navy pilot who shot down two enemy planes in World War II, was later shot down himself and captured in North Africa. After escaping, August returned to combat and was shot down again and taken prisoner by the Japanese.

Read more ....

My Comment: What can I say .... he is dedicated. My head bows down to Doug Sterner .... the work that he does is indispensable and vital for those heroes who are no longer with us.

Airman Gets A Bronze And Silver Star

The two stars join the campaign ribbons that decorate the uniform of Air Force Staff Sgt. Cecil Caleb Gilbreath. Staff photo by James Robinson

Airman Gets Double Honor, Bronze Star And Silver Star -- Fay Observer

Air Force Staff Sgt. Cecil Caleb Gilbreath says he was just doing his job fighting back insurgents amid gunfire.

After a mortar round landed 20 feet from him and two rocket propelled grenade rounds struck less than 15 feet away, Gilbreath didn't flee.

Read more ....

My Comment: It is soldiers like Staff Sgt. Gilbreath that makes the U.S. military proud.

3 Silver Stars Awarded For Fierce Afghan Firefight

101st Airborne Commanding General Maj. Gen. John Campbell, right, makes remarks on Sgt. Rocky Bloom, left, and Staff Sgt. Sean Outman during a ceremony Tuesday at Fort Campbell after they received Silver Star Medals for their valor in Afghanistan.

3 Silver Stars Awarded For Fierce Firefight -- Army Times

Rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire slammed into the soldiers’ command post, immediately taking out some of their weapon systems.

The enemy had launched an L-shaped ambush, targeting soldiers from A Company, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment.

Spc. Jesse Snow, without regard for his safety and despite his disabled weapon, low-crawled to the command post to aid the wounded. He dragged two comrades more than 30 feet to cover, at the same time spotting targets for a machine-gun team.

Read more ....

Update: 3 Silver Stars awarded for fierce firefight in Afghanistan -- Stars and Stripes

My Comment: These Silver Star commendations are deserved for what looks like Medal of Honor actions to me.

Half Of Bravery Medals For Soldiers In Afghanistan Turned Down Due To Quotas

Victoria Cross

Afghanistan Soldiers Turned Down For Bravery Medal Under Quota System -- The Telegraph

More than half the recommendations for bravery medals for soldiers in Afghanistan are being turned down, former British forces commander Colonel Richard Kemp has said.

Limits on the number of medals awarded for each six-month tour of duty mean only about one in 100 can ever be formally recognised.

The situation has prompted calls from war veterans and families of those who have lost loved ones in the fighting to award all troops a special medal in recognition of the specific dangers posed by insurgents.

Read more ....

My Comment: There should be some leeway in recognition of the service that these soldiers participate in. Unfortunately .... I doubt that the UK military will bend tradition in this case.

Police Finds Cache of Service Medals

From Military.com:

Mesa, Az. - Stored in a nondescript warehouse building are symbols of an unknown Soldier or Soldiers -- a cache of medals that were seized by police and later landed in Mesa's warehouse for unclaimed property.

The hodgepodge of medals, lightly dusted and ranging from World War II to the Vietnam War, are being safely kept at the city's materials and surplus warehouse. The department typically sells off items garnered through either police seizure or abandonment by owner.

Sherri Power, a coordinator at the surplus warehouse, said the medals are not for sale.

Read more ....