Awards count rises past 500,000

[unhappycamper]

Awards count rises past 500,000
By Jim Tice - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Jul 26, 2008 6:51:11 EDT

The military awards total for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has topped 516,000, according to the Army’s latest tabulation of medals and badges.

According to data through May 31, 83,305 medals and badges have been awarded for actions in Afghanistan since Dec. 5, 2001.

The total includes three Distinguished Service Crosses, 115 Silver Stars, 942 Bronze Stars for Valor and 2,021 Purple Hearts.

Comparable statistics for Operation Iraqi Freedom reflect awards since March 15, 2003. They include two Medals of Honor, 11 Distinguished Service Crosses, 390 Silver Stars, 1,956 Bronze Stars for Valor and 19,295 Purple Hearts.

The combined total of 516,764 compares to 1.8 million for World War II, 41,801 for the Korean War, 2.8 million for Vietnam, 6,440 for Grenada and 117,200 for the first Persian Gulf War.


Article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/07/army_medals_072609w/