Medal for US cyber-heroes

AMERICA is creating a new medal to award drone operators and other cyber-troops who directly affect combat operations but do so from afar.

The Distinguished Warfare Medal will be awarded for “extraordinary achievement” by individuals, but does not require that the recipient has risked her or his life.

It is, said the Pentagon, a recognition of 21st-century warfare, where troops fight wars from computers and video screens. The medal could go to US service members who never set foot in a combat zone, but launch drone strikes or cyber-attacks that can kill or disable an enemy.