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The Duffel Brief · the free edition, Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Vol. 15 · No. 135 · Thursday, 12 November 2026

Veterans

Homeless veterans receive 10% off cardboard boxes this Veterans Day

Home Depot and Lowe's announce new discount on temporary shelter for America's heroes

Hegseth asks staff to make next execution more like ‘The Running Man’

Pete Hegseth picks wrong week to stop drinking

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Vol. 15 · No. 135

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Duffel Blog

Established 2012 · Deployed worldwide

Vol. 15 · No. 135 · Deployed worldwide

Thursday

12 November 2026

2307 Zulu

Next edition Friday

← Front page
· Page 2

Heroic predator drone is first recipient of distinguished warfare medal

Filed · 1545

BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN -- The Defense Department has announced that THX-1138, an MQ-1 Predator Drone, will be the first recipient of the Pentagon's newly-minted Distinguished Warfare Medal.

On 17 December, THX-1138 stayed on station for 8 hours, defending a US Special Forces A-Team from numerous attacks with its Hellfire missiles. During the action, THX-1138 repeatedly refused requests to return to base.

At the end of the day, THX-1138's tenacity, perseverance, and valor in the face of enemy fire saved all 12 members of the team.

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