Medal inflation
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Medal inflation is a term used by the media particularly in the United States to describe the increase in the number of medals awarded to the armed forces in recent times and a perceived devaluing of medals because of this. It has been discussed since at least 1979 when a book was published relating to the Vietnam War. The War on Terror and particularly the 2003 invasion of Iraq saw a resurgence in coverage, as there was a rapid increase in the number of medals awarded by US forces. There was, however, a significant reduction in the volume of medals as the war entered the counter-insurgency phase.