Bush plans one medal for Iraq, Afghanistan conflicts

By Vernon Loeb
The Washington Post

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive

Reacting to the troops' dismay, critics are pushing to have the decision reversed, saying the administration is subtly using the single campaign medal to buttress its contention that the war in Iraq was undertaken as part of the worldwide battle against al-Qaida and other Islamic extremists.

"There were two separate campaigns, one against the Taliban and bin Laden forces (and one) to prevent the use of weapons of mass destruction," said Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo. "The purposes were different, the campaigns were different, they were carried on differently. They're distinct from each other."

One defense source said troops share Skelton's view "by a wide majority," adding that "politics aside, separate campaign ribbons seems to make sense."

"The decision not to issue separate medals seems to be the work of people who do not appreciate the importance of the values that help form a strong military culture," added retired Army Col. John Antal, a former tank commander, who edits a magazine devoted to military history. "Politicians should be very careful when they tinker with the system that reinforces the critical values that help make our military the most capable in the world."

But Pentagon officials say the issue is closed. President Bush's authorization of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, they say, is appropriate, given the nature of the worldwide battle against terrorists and in terms of precedent in previous conflicts.

Bush also authorized creation of the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal to recognize those who provided support in the conflict from outside the theater of operations and those who participated in operations to protect the homeland, called Operation Noble Eagle. Bush authorized the awards March 12, a week before the war began in Iraq, on the recommendation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

A Defense Department spokesman said there is ample precedent, citing a single decoration, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, for operations associated with the 1991 Gulf War. The official also cited the campaign medals for service in either the Pacific or European theaters in World War II, not service in particular countries.

Antal countered, "Imagine how silly it would have appeared in World War II if we did not issue European Theater of Operations and Pacific Theater of Operations ribbons but instead issued a generic 'war against fascism medal.' "

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company