Journalists to receive Iraq medal

[Guest]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3514275.stm



British service personnel, civilians and media workers who took part in the Iraq war are to receive a campaign medal, the Ministry of Defence says.
The medal is for those who served in and in support of operations in Iraq from 20 January, 2003.

Armed forces minister Adam Ingram said it recognises the bravery of the personnel "who risked so much to remove Saddam Hussein's oppressive regime".

Its ribbon is sand coloured, with central red, white and black stripes.

Journalists "embedded" in UK military units, including correspondents, cameramen, photographers and sound engineers, and some foreign nationals would be eligible.

Members of the armed forces and MoD civilians who died in Kuwait or Iraq will automatically qualify for the medal.

General Sir Mike Walker, chief of the defence staff, said he was "delighted that the contribution of our service personnel, both regular and reservists, and that of our civilian colleagues, who have all given significant service in often difficult and dangerous circumstances, has been marked by the award of this unique campaign medal."

The medal, known as the Iraq Medal, is expected to be awarded from this spring.

One side shows the crowned image of the Queen, and the other side shows the symbol of the Lamussu, a sculpture dating from the Assyrian period which is symbolic of the region, above the word "IRAQ".

It will have the same status as other campaign medals.




I have to say iv never heard of journos getting campaign medals before, is this a first?

Also what do you think of the medal itself? Looks pretty good I reckon! Could someone post up the pic from the link? Since I dont know how to. Cheers.

[Guest]

Ta!

[RobT]

Great, Journalists getting rewards. Lads who take a bullet or two get sweet F.A

[Ploggers]

I dunno! I need to give this some thought to come up with a reasoned response. Gut reaction is that it somehow something seems wrong with this but I need to ponder.

[Guest]

^Yeah im feeling the same, I reckon only uniformed service personnel should be eligible for official campaign medals, journos would presumably get journalism awards and the like. As for foreign nationals getting one...naaaah

[Aldo]

Well it says the medal is for those who helped in the fall of Saddam, to my mind that only includes service personnel and the civvies who played a part supporting the services, I don't think jurnos did that much towards the actual war.

[Whitey]

We give valor awards in America to guys for taking out the trash. Its just a 50 cent medal and 12 cents of ribbon.

[Wholley]

I wonder how many BBC journalists will get a gong?
I'm just considering the HMS Ark Royal incident.
Wholley.

[Sully]

George Formby "Ere, I want a word with you" was awarded the Order of Lenin by the Soviet Government in 1943 for those immortal words and his moral-boosting swipe at Adolf Hitler.

[strongbow]

Will those serving in this country, those directing the war from Northwood for example, be awarded the medal? All the information I have seen states that those who served in zone 1 (Iraq), zone 2 (kuwait), or aircrew who flew sorites will be getting he medal.

[Noz]

Whitey

I had the dubious pleasure of meeting some of the USAF while on exercise in France. When they were asked about their ribbons on their uniforms we were informed -

This ones for being really good in training
This ones for havin' a good shot
This ones......etc

Seemed a nice enough chap but wasn't the sharpest