Michaud Adds Support to Distinguished Warfare Medal Bill

Statement

The Department of Defense (DoD) recently announced the creation of the new Distinguished Warfare Medal to recognize servicemembers off the battlefield whose actions contributed to successes on the ground, such as drone or cyber operations post September 11, 2001. The DoD has positioned the new medal immediately below the Distinguished Flying Cross and above the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

"While I support the creation of the new medal, I agree with veterans that I've met with that it should not be positioned above the Bronze Star and Purple Heart," said Representative Mike Michaud, Ranking Member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee. "The battlefield has changed from previous generations, but we cannot devalue the sacrifices and risks made by our servicemembers who face ground combat."

Michaud has requested that his name be added as a cosponsor to a bipartisan bill (H.R. 833) that would ensure that the Bronze Star and Purple Heart always have precedence over the new Distinguished Warfare Medal.

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