Iraq, Afghanistan medals approach 500,000

[unhappycamper]

Medal numbers lag
Vietnam vets got 2.8 million over 9 years.


Iraq, Afghanistan medals approach 500,000
By Jim Tice - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Feb 25, 2008 6:00:08 EST

Award and decoration totals from Iraq and Afghanistan are edging toward half a million, according to the Army’s most recent medal count for the combat theater.

Still well short of the 2.8 million decorations awarded for the nine-year Vietnam War, 361,904 medals and badges have been awarded for Iraq since March 2003, and 74,527 for the 6½-year campaign in Afghanistan.

The statistics, which reflect award totals through Dec. 31, 2007, include valor and service medals, and the Combat Infantryman Badge, Combat Medical Badge and the Combat Action Badge.

The CAB, established in May 2005, recognizes the service of soldiers who come under fire in a combat zone but who are not eligible for the Combat Infantryman or Combat Medical Badge.

Army award authorities recently reminded commanders who have Reserve soldiers in their units to process CAB awards during deployment.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/02/army_250208_medals/