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U.S. troops who overcome their natural urge to slaughter civilians will get awards for showing heroic restraint - at least that's the message being sent by a proposed new service medal.

The proposal circulating around the headquarters of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan would establish a decoration to be awarded in those situations in which troops refrain from using lethal force, even at risk to themselves, so as not to endanger civilian lives. An ISAF spokesman said that, "in some situations our forces face in Afghanistan, that restraint is an act of discipline and courage not much different than those seen in combat actions."