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Military Considering Upgrades to Medals of Honor

The results of the Pentagon’s review of military awards to be announced Thursday could see large numbers of decorated Iraq and Afghanistan vets upgraded to Medals of Honor, according to defense officials.

The military is examining over 1,000 medals given since the attacks of September 11, 2001, as part of its review to determine whether the actions that led to those awards were actually deserving of the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for combat valor.

The first seven Medals of Honor for actions in Iraq and Afghanistan were awarded posthumously, but the Defense Department clarified what constituted the “risk of life” criteria to receive the award in 2010. All 10 recipients of the award since then have been living, and three of those cases were subsequently upgraded from a service cross, the second highest award. CNN

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The results of the Pentagon’s review of military awards to be announced Thursday could see large numbers of decorated Iraq and Afghanistan vets upgraded to Medals of Honor, according to defense officials.

The military is examining over 1,000 medals given since the attacks of September 11, 2001, as part of its review to determine whether the actions that led to those awards were actually deserving of the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for combat valor.

The first seven Medals of Honor for actions in Iraq and Afghanistan were awarded posthumously, but the Defense Department clarified what constituted the “risk of life” criteria to receive the award in 2010. All 10 recipients of the award since then have been living, and three of those cases were subsequently upgraded from a service cross, the second highest award. CNN

About Desiree Huitt View All Posts

Desiree Huitt is an Army Veteran serving 11 years as a Military Intelligence officer and prior to OCS as a combat medic. She is a graduate from the University of Texas in Austin with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Middle Eastern Studies.

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