The proposed Distinguished Warfare Medal, which was intended for cyber and remote-vehicle warriors who perform their jobs with distinction, has been scrapped. Instead, Pentagon leaders want to create a device recognizing such exploits that can be appended to existing medals. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel made the decision April 15 to drop plans for the new medal, at the recommendation of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Almost immediately after the Pentagon announced the creation of the medal on Feb. 13, veterans’ groups decried the intention to place it above other medals that place service members in direct contact with the enemy.
