Since the start of America’s wars with Iraq and Afghanistan, or more specifically, the ‘War on Terror’, we have made tremendous progress in the Middle East region (although, some might not really agree with that). However, you can not deny that we have lost many good men and women and many prestigious awards have been earned by our military heroes for their selflessness and tremendous sacrifices. the December 17 issue of “Army Times” has provided a full list of the number and type of awards received by our soldiers throughout the last decade.
The following is a breakdown of the number of each award earned and given to our men and women in uniform fighting in Operation Enduring Freedom (Dec 2001-Oct 2012), Iraqi Freedom (March 2003-Aug 2010) and New Dawn (Sept 2010-Dec 2011):
VALOR AWARDS TOTAL —— OEF —— OIF —— OND
Medal of Honor – 4 2 0
Distinguished Service Cross- 10 16 0
Silver Star – 331 355 0
Legion of Merit – 115 123 10
Distinguished Flying Cross – 195 116 2
Soldier’s Medal – 37 111 0
Bronze Star Medal for Valor- 1754 2454 36
Bronze Star Medal svc/ach – 52590 99876 9070
Purple Heart – 8028 21556 349
Meritorious Service Medal – 9554 23416 3970
Air Medal for Valor – 1172 724 2
Air Medal svc/ach – 12254 18323 2826
ARCOM for Valor – 3000 5061 40
ARCOM svc/ach – 134584 349919 33180
Army Achievement Medal – 15950 49902 5634
Combat Infantryman Badge – 33069 41609 646
Combat Medical Badge – 4498 12380 138
Combat Action Badge – 42117 68706 3828
TOTAL – 319252 694649 59731
GRAND TOTAL – 1,073,632
(sources – Human Resources Command/Army Times Dec. 17)
Congratulations to these brave men and women fighting for our freedoms and justice! We appreciate everything they have done and are honored to have such a great military. They deserve every award they have received.
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