U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel urging him to ensure that American troops in Iraq for the ISIL campaign are eligible to receive medals and recognition for their service.
In the letter, the Davis writes, "Even though these troops are serving in Iraq in an effort that the President has described as "counter-terrorism', it has been reported that they are not currently eligible to receive the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal or the Global War on Terrorism Service medal. While there is a process to make our troops eligible for new medals, this process cannot commence until this current conflict with ISIL has been named or designated.
"Secretary Hagel, I urge you to use your existing authority to ensure that these American troops in Iraq are eligible to receive the recognition they deserve."
The full text of the letter is as follows:
Secretary Charles Hagel
U.S. Department of Defense
1400 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1400
Dear Secretary Hagel,
While 1,600 American troops are focused on their mission to train and advise Iraqi Security Forces in Iraq, I hope we can work together to resolve a reported problem regarding the recognition these troops are eligible to receive while serving their country.
Even though these troops are serving in Iraq in an effort that the President has described as "counter-terrorism", it has been reported that they are not currently eligible to receive the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal or the Global War on Terrorism Service medal. While there is a process to make our troops eligible for new medals, this process cannot commence until this current conflict with ISIL has been named or designated.
Secretary Hagel, I urge you to use your existing authority to ensure that these American troops in Iraq are eligible to receive the recognition they deserve. These American troops serving in Iraq should be eligible for a campaign medal in this conflict against ISIL, but currently that is not the case. I hope you will resolve this matter quickly.
Sincerely,