By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Hagel axes remote warfare medal
Replacement affixes to existing awards
Placeholder Image
Jim Garamon
American Forces Press Service
Updated: Apr 16, 2013, 1:05 PM
Published: Apr 16, 2013, 1:07 PM

WASHINGTON, April 15, 2013 - Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has eliminated the Distinguished Warfare Medal, DOD officials announced today.

Instead, the military will recognize service members who directly affect combat operations without being present through distinguishing devices that will be affixed to already existing awards.

Soon after being sworn in as defense secretary Feb. 27, 2013, Hagel asked Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to lead a review of the medal.

"The Joint Chiefs of Staff, with the concurrence of the service secretaries, have recommended the creation of a new distinguishing device that can be affixed to existing medals to recognize the extraordinary actions of this small number of men and women," Hagel said in a written release.

"I agree with the Joint Chiefs' findings, and have directed the creation of a distinguishing device instead of a separate medal," Hagel said in the release.

Hagel added: "The servicemen and women who operate and support our remotely piloted aircraft, operate in cyber, and others are critical to our military's mission of safeguarding the nation."

The distinguishing devices will serve to recognize these service members' achievements, he said.

The undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness will develop the award criteria in close coordination with the services and the Joint Staff, officials said.

DOD announced the creation of the Distinguished Warfare Medal Feb. 13, 2013.

"I've always felt -- having seen the great work that they do, day-in and day-out -- that those who performed in an outstanding manner should be recognized," then-Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said during a news conference announcing the medal.

"Unfortunately," Panetta added, "medals that they otherwise might be eligible for simply did not recognize that kind of contribution."

Members of veterans' service organizations and others objected to the Distinguished Warfare Medal, officials said. The medal's order of precedence was to be just below the Distinguished Flying Cross and just above the Bronze Star. Some commentators objected that it would rank higher than the Purple Heart -- awarded to those wounded or killed in action.

"When I came into office, concerns were raised to me about the Distinguished Warfare Medal's order of precedence by veterans' organizations, members of Congress and other stakeholders whose views are valued by this department's leadership," Hagel said.

The distinguishing devices can be affixed to awards at different levels, so, once written, the criteria for the awards must reflect that, officials said. For example, the criteria for affixing a device to an Army Commendation Medal would be different than those for a Meritorious Service Medal -- a higher award.

Sign up for our e-newsletters
Raiders welcome new commander,
Ashe takes over from Crider
0908 Raider Brigade cmdr
Third Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. John Murray congratulates incoming 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team commander Col. Robert Ashe on Aug. 28 after passing him the brigades guidon during a change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field. Ashe, a native of Albany, has spent many years in the 3rd ID. - photo by Photo by Sgt. Emily Knitter
Sgt. Emily Knitter
1st ABCT, 3rd ID public affairs
Updated: Sep 9, 2013, 4:50 PM
Published: Sep 9, 2013, 5:07 PM

During a sweltering morning ceremony, Col. James Crider bid farewell to 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team and passed off command to a new leader during a ceremony Aug. 28 on Cottrell Field.
After almost 31 months in command, Crider said he was sad to leave.
“The time in command goes by very quickly,” Crider said. “We seem to be very busy day-to-day, but suddenly you look up and somebody is telling you you have to go. You never feel like you’ve completed because the mission doesn’t ever really come to an end.”
Maj. Gen. John Murray, 3rd ID commander, was on-hand to pass the brigade colors from Crider to the new Raider Brigade commander, Col. Robert Ashe.
Ashe said he is looking forward to the future with the Raider Brigade. A native of Albany, he has spent the better part of a decade in the 3rd ID, and coming back to Fort Stewart was his first choice of assignments.
“I am glad to be here, and I am looking very forward to getting to know people within this organization,” Ashe said. “The detail of what missions are ahead is less important if we get the team right.”
During his speech, Crider relayed his faith in the new commander.
“Col. Ashe is the best choice the Army could have possibly made to serve as the commander of the Raider Brigade,” he said. “He has an Army-wide reputation of excellence that he has earned while serving in the toughest jobs a combat arms officer can have.”
Crider, his wife, Jill, and son, Jack, are headed to Fort Bliss, Texas. Before leaving, he had one final message for the soldiers and families of the brigade.
“I just want to thank everyone, starting with a lot of the people who are close to me by virtue of their position,” he said. “I appreciate all that they have done to help me so that I can make good decisions and keep this brigade going in the right direction. I am grateful to all the soldiers who really give it everything they have every day. Overall, I just want to say thank you and that I sincerely appreciate their service and their sacrifice. I know this is not an easy lifestyle.”

Latest Obituaries