A war is a war. Whether you're serving as a UN peacekeeper or you fought in World War II, it's still a combat role. My friend Tommy Anderson lost both legs. Mark Isfeld was blown to bits and lost his life. I personally hit a tripwire. Other people hit landmines with their carrier.
A war is a war is a war, and calling what I did a “special duty area” as opposed to.... There shouldn't be different strata. We were all in it up to our ears, so we should be treated equally.