WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a review of a new medal for troops who operate drones and use other technological skills to fight America’s wars from afar.
A senior defense official says the review will likely be announced at a Pentagon press conference later Tuesday. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the upcoming announcement publicly before it was made.
The official says Hagel is responding to concerns from lawmakers and veterans. They complained that the new Distinguished Warfare Medal can be awarded to troops who serve far from the battlefield — yet it has been ranked above medals for those who served on the front line in harm’s way.
