Rep. Joe Wilson Pens Letter Protesting Status of New Medal

On Monday, the office of Rep. Joe Wilson (R-2) released a letter he sent to newly named Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.

The letter is in response to the Department of Defense's recent decision to create the Distinguished Warfare Medal (DWM) and place it above the Bronze Star and Purple Heart in the order of precedence. Recipients of the DWM are recognized for their extraordinary service that directly impacts combat operations, while not being physically present in a combat zone. 

Wilson, who is the chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Military Personnel, wrote the following:

“The brave men and women in our Armed Forces dedicate their lives to serve this great nation and often times put themselves in harms way to protect the freedoms and liberties all Americans are able to enjoy. The recent Department of Defense decision to rank the Distinguished Warfare Medal higher in precedence than the Bronze Star and Purple Heart does a disservice to our service members and veterans who have severed overseas in hostile and austere conditions. It is my hope that Secretary Hagel will change the Department’s decision so that our veterans who have earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart will receive the appropriate recognition they deserve.”

48 other members of Congress joined Wilson in signing the letter, which can be viewed here.