Originally posted by Ed_Haynes
Again, please realize that this is NOT an award for September 11.
Again, please realize that this is NOT an award for September 11.
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This is the official award for US Department of Defense civilian employees and some non DOD people who were employed by US defense contractors who lost their lives on September 11th in the Pentagon attack. True, it's not for the twin towers in NY but the Pentagon only. It is a real award and it was given out to surviving family at a ceremony not long ago. It is a real deal. -
I think what Ed is getting at is that the medal was not created as a result of the Sept 11 attacks or specifically for those DoD civilian employees killed or injured as a result of those attacks. The first awards of these medals (ever) went to those killed and injured, but it wasn't created for that sole purpose. It's a new award intended to be awarded as a civilian equivalent of the Purple Heart. This is what will be awarded to any future DoD employees who are injured or killed in the line of duty.
The medal can also be awarded to non DoD employees and contractors but only at the discretion of the Sec. of Defense and based on their involvement in DoD.
Still not much to look at considering the gravity of what it represents.
MattComment
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Thank you, Matt.
As I too had said before, but no one noted, the "Defense of Freedom Medal" is in effect a civilian Purple Heart. (And JOMSA has recently had some nice pieces on this general issue and the struggle over the PH.) Sure, the timing of the institution of the medal had everything to do with the attack on the Pentagon, but it is a mistake and a misunderstanding to see this as a "9-11" medal per se. It will almost certainly continue to be awarded as "Purple-Heart" occasions arise; it is my understanding some will be given to "spookish" types popped in Afghanistan, for example. And there may be more chances to give it out, soon.
The closest we are to a "9-11" medal is that absolute abomination from the boys over in the U.S. Department of Transportation, the "Transportation 9-11 Medal". However bad the "Defense of Freedom Medal" may be (and why couldn't they invent a name that meant something? - but, then, "Purple Heart" isn't exactly transparent), this one is worse. Get your barf bags ready:
Makes the "Defense of Freedom Medal" look artistic, and professional, and meaningful?!
And there is also the "New York Defense of Liberty Medal" for mobilized National Guard folks.
But still nothing federal.
Again, I suggest: http://faculty.winthrop.edu/haynese/...han/fifth.html
Ed HaynesComment
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New 5th Afghan War Medals
Have just added updates on the recently (finally) announced US medals for the 5th Afghan War and the "'War' against 'Terrorism'."
There MAY be changes in the New Zealand awards on the horizon as well.
See:
http://faculty.winthrop.edu/haynese/...han/fifth.html
Ed HaynesComment
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I've never seen such ugly medals. Whats up with the US? Don't they have any artists to design such a medal? But we in Germany have the same problem. If I see the Bundeswehr Einsatzmedaille... The most beautiful on that medal is the ribbon
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Agreed.
There seems to be a global disease popping up here. Look at recent Australian, Canadian, British, etc. awards. Can there be no way, formal or informal, that bodies like the OMSA or OMRS or BDOS can be consulted prior to the birth of each new abomination?
Of course, I know the answer, but . . . .
However, whatever they do, it won't be as bad as that US Department of Transportation joke medal!
Ed HaynesComment
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Yes, this medal is really a joke.
Why don't they make some kind of call for design-proposals and the winner gets a prize or his name or initials stamped on every medal like the die-makers of old awards.Comment
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Let me post the images directly, so we can all be ill together.
The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal:
And the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal:
Sigh, . . . .
Ed HaynesComment
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This is some kind of design I just call: hm...
I think the best designed medal ever was the soviet Ushakov-Medal with the anchor-chain at the ribbon. This was really a perfect design.Comment
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Hi Ed,
I read your article about the medals awarded for service im Afghanistan. I saw that you didn't show the austrian medal which is awarded for service in Afghanistan.
All the austrian soldiers, who served there were awarded the Einsatzmedaillie. (a report about the ceremony : ceremony )
And here the Einsatzmedaillie (taken from Bundesheer.at)
Einsatzmedaillie gem.§2 Abs1d WG Einsätze im Ausland
Best Regards
ChristophComment
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Thanks, Christoph!
Will fix this today!!
EdComment
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Expeditionary? Excretory! What is that eagle PERCHING on???
and the second one looks like it has just been flattened by a basketball!
the horruh! O, the horruh!!!
I wish I'd had my scanner when last I had a 1919-20 Whitehead & Hoag made numbered USMC Haiti campaign medal (WW1 trio) in my paws. THAT was design work.
Stripes! Throw in more ribbon stripes! They won't notice the trash can lid medals then!
Might I suggest a NEW thread on proposed SERIOUS designs for potential campaign medals. Goofs are fun (I've done a "Legion d' Humeur" in my time)... but the "official" crap is ALREADY "funny"... so how about a new thread, country by country, on IMPROVEMENTS?Comment
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Which is for "High 3-game series", possibly with oak leaf clusters for picking up 7-10 splits.
The wreath even looks like a fuzzy happy face.
Bring back the barfing smilie!Comment
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"The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal"
Rick asks what the eagle is perched on....hmmm... doesnt it look like a German breat eagle, minus the swas?
Ill bet the designer wanted to put in a round oak wreath, but thought it would raise questions.
It pretty much comes down to what I said a few months ago, at some point the well of new ideas dries up when it comes to design.Comment
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