The United States Congress is currently debating the eligibility requirements of a United States Military award known as the “Combat Action Badge”. This military badge was established on May 2nd, 2005, and was awarded to a recipient for the first time in June of that same year. It is a prestigious award created for the purpose of displaying a soldier’s service in a live combat zone. The badge’s requirements dictate that one must have served in the United States Army Unit in a situation that is officially labeled as combat. In other words, the award can only be awarded to someone who was physically present at a place of U.S. military action while engaging or being engaged by the enemy.
Currently, only those who have served in such a situation after September 18, 2001 may be awarded the Combat Action Badge. This specific requirement is being debated heavily however. There are many who believe that the countless men and women who have served and sacrificed for our great nation over the past years and wars should also be eligible for this award. It is proposed that the award should be available to members who served in active combat since December 7th 1941, when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor marking the beginning of the United States’ involvement in the Second World War. This notion would mean that every soldier who was involved in active military conflict since December 7th, 1941 would be eligible for the Combat Action Badge. This would include World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the War on Terror, the War in Iraq, and any other United States public military action involving open combat after December 7th 1941.
It is good to know that there are those in congress who fight for the honor and remembrance of those who have served in the United States Military in the past. Tell us what you think by leaving your comments below.
