Pentagon may upgrade hundreds of troops to possible Medals of Honor

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon will review more than 1,100 medals issued since the 9/11 terror attacks for possible upgrade to the Medal of Honor, the country's highest award issued for valor in combat, according to documents obtained by USA TODAY.

The sweeping review ordered by Defense Secretary Ash Carter would represent one of the most significant steps in decades to honor troops who have displayed extraordinary courage in combat. It stems from a study of military decorations and awards that was ordered in March 2014 by then-Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel "to ensure that after 13 years of combat the awards system appropriately recognizes the service, sacrifices and action of our service members."

Should even a fraction of the medals under review be upgraded, it's possible that dozens more troops would receive the Medal of Honor for their bravery in Iraq and Afghanistan. A formal announcement is scheduled for Thursday. The review and creation of new awards to honor the-post 9/11 generation of troops are the latest in a series of dramatic steps Carter has taken regarding military personnel; others include opening all combat jobs to women, and preparing to rescind the ban on transgender troops from serving.

Rep. Duncan Hunter, a California Republican, Marine veteran and member of the House Armed Services Committee, saluted the Pentagon's medal review but called it overdue. He blamed military red tape and too many layers of approval required for all the medals it awards for valor.

"It's a systemic problem," Hunter said. "I'm glad they're finally getting around to fixing it. This is military bureaucracy at its worst."

Among the other recommendations Carter has approved:

• A new award for troops who have directed drones over battlefields in the Middle East and Afghanistan. The "R" device would be awarded to "recognize remote impacts on combat operations."

• Establishing a standard definition for meritorious service that limits combat awards to those exposed to hostile action or at "significant risk" of exposure.

• Setting goals and guidelines to ensure Medal of Honor and other awards are made in a timely way.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars, the service organization that represents 1.7 million members, supports the review and the recognition for drone operators, said Joe Davis, a spokesman.

"For those too few who survived, and to the memories of those who did not, the VFW welcomes Secretary Carter’s decision and that of his predecessor to make sure that whenever we finally exit these wars that it is with the full confidence that we properly took care of those who took care of the mission," Davis said. "They, their families and our nation deserve nothing less."

The proposal for potential upgrades to Medal of Honor has the potential to be the most controversial. Of the 37 recommendations, it was the only one not reached by consensus, records show. It would require the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy to re-examine each of the Service Cross and Silver Star nominations they have awarded since Sept. 11, 2001. The Army alone awarded 718 Silver Stars.

The Army and Air Force plan to review the Service Crosses and Silver Stars each branch has awarded. But the Navy and Marine Corps oppose such a review, according to a briefing paper, because top officials there "believe reviewing prior decisions undermines the integrity of commanders' decisions." The Marine Corps is a department of the Navy.

A memo from Navy Secretary Ray Mabus added that such a review "may have long-term detrimental impact on our service culture and our awards program."

Mabus' memo goes on to note that the Pentagon certified in 2010 that the services' Medal of Honor "processes and standards were sound."

"Much of the prestige of our valor decorations stems from confidence in the process before awarding them," the memo says. "Reconsidering all previous valor award decisions without an evidentiary basis would reverse the longstanding policy that protects the integrity of the process by which we award our highest decorations."

Part of the rationale for the recommendation to review the Service Crosses and Silver Stars, according to another briefing paper, is that from 2001 to 2010, all the Medals of Honor for U.S. conflicts were bestowed posthumously. After this Pentagon guidance was issued, "there is no requirement to meet the 'risk of life' portion of the (Medal of Honor) award criteria all recipients have been living."

In addition, the paper notes, "Combat experience of commanders differed early in the conflict and this lack of combat experience may have led to an initial reluctance to recommend members for the (Medal of Honor)."

The review included input from more than 1,000 combat-experienced troops at 13 posts, according to another document.

Seventeen Medals of Honor have been awarded since 2001. Four were for service in Iraq, while 13 were for Afghanistan. All four medals for Iran were posthumous.

Listen to reporter Tom Vanden Brook what he learned while reporting on this big change to the Medal of Honor process:

Asked about the Pentagon's actions on medals, White House press secretary Josh Earnest on Wednesday said he didn't want his remarks to affect the rigorous process in awarding the medal. But he did acknowledge the sacrifices troops have made since 9/11.

"That's an indication that this generation of Americans has — has borne a significant burden in protecting our country since 9/11," Earnest said. "And we certainly have — the president himself has raised concerns about the wisdom of the decision that was made by the previous administration to go to war in Iraq, but that does not in any way diminish the president's deep appreciation, respect and even honor for those who have served our country in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11."

Obama bestows Medal of Honor on soldier who showed 'guts' in suicide attack

The most recent recipient of the Medal of Honor was Army Capt. Florent Groberg. He was serving on a personal-protection detail on Aug. 8, 2012 when his patrol was ambushed by two suicide bombers. Groberg grabbed the first bomber and pushed him away, triggering an explosion that severely wounded him but saved several lives.

Hunter, who has advocated for upgrades in honors for several troops, said he does not anticipate a flood of new Medal of Honor awards. But several should be changed quickly, he said.

"None of these guys cares about getting the awards," Hunter said. "This is something that the brass should do for the people who serve under them."