[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[House]
[Pages 7398-7399]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     COMBAT ACTION BADGE AMENDMENT

  (Mr. NUGENT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)

[[Page 7399]]


  Mr. NUGENT. Mr. Speaker, on May 2, 2005, the Department of the Army 
authorized the creation of the Combat Action Badge. This badge provides 
special recognition for soldiers who personally engage the enemy or are 
engaged by the enemy during combat operations. The bayonet and grenade 
on the badge are associated with the act of combat. The oak wreath on 
the badge signifies strength and loyalty.
  Current Army policy limits the eligibility to those individuals who 
meet the criteria of the Combat Action Badge after September 18, 2001. 
Unfortunately, this overlooks thousands of veterans who made similar 
sacrifices in previous wars. That's why I offered this amendment that 
would expand the eligibility for the Combat Action Badge to also 
include those who served honorably from December 7, 1941, to September 
18, 2001.
  Additionally, in accordance with the wishes of those veterans who 
approached me about the expanded eligibility of this badge, the costs 
of the Combat Action Badge would be borne by those individuals, not the 
taxpayers. Therefore, this measure will cost American taxpayers 
nothing.
  I was proud to introduce this identical amendment last year to the 
National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the House en bloc. So 
I'm back this year continuing to fight for combat veterans of the past 
to receive the recognition they rightfully deserve. With that, I ask 
for your support.

                          ____________________