Pentagon creates medals for Iraq, Afghanistan wars

WASHINGTON, April 7 (Xinhuanet) -- The Pentagon announced Thursdaythat it has created two medals for US military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The medals were established under a presidential executive order to "recognize members, who made specific sacrifices and significant contributions in these areas of operation," the Pentagon said in a statement.

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Both medals may be awarded posthumously.

At least 163 US troops have died in Afghanistan or related duties since the invasion in October 2001, and at least 1,538 American soldiers and four civilian contractors have died in Iraq since March 2003, according to Pentagon statistics.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-04/08/content_2801548.htm