[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 4933]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    THE DISTINGUISHED WARFARE MEDAL

  (Mr. CALVERT asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, our country has a proud history of honoring 
our military heroes, and in doing so we place an emphasis on 
recognizing servicemembers whose actions placed them in harm's way for 
the benefit of our Nation and their fellow soldiers.
  It's because of this proud history that I have serious concerns about 
the Department of Defense placement of a newly established 
Distinguished Warfare Medal in the order of precedence. Surely it is 
appropriate to recognize servicemembers who make contributions through 
technology-driven warfare; however, I agree with the VFW that we must 
continue to preserve the sanctity of our medals for those Americans who 
sacrifice their personal safety for the safety of the country and their 
brothers in arms.
  That is why I strongly support the effort led by my friend, 
Congressman Duncan Hunter, who is a decorated veteran himself, to alter 
the rank of the Distinguished Warfare Medal such that it ranks below 
the Purple Heart in precedence.
  I would encourage all of my colleagues to join me by cosponsoring his 
bill, H.R. 833, and urge its passage.

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