Brown wants injured troops honour

Aides travelling with the Prime Minister on his three day official visit to the US said that he believed Britain could learn a lot from the way America treats its military.

He was said to have been impressed at the way the US celebrates its Armed Forces through homecoming parades, appearances at major sporting events, and regular mainstream television coverage.

He now wants officials to look at the possibility of instituting a medal for combat casualties, although any decision would be a matter for the Chiefs of Staff.

Mr Brown has already commissioned Labour backbencher Quentin Davies to carry out a wide-ranging review of civil-military relations in Britain.

His report - which will include a recommendation to expand the number of cadet forces in state schools - is expected shortly.

One aide said that Mr Brown had noticed during his visit the way the the armed forces were "a constant feature of American life, while it is all too often a forgotten feature of life in Britain".

The Prime Minister was said to also be looking at what the UK could learn from America's treatment of military veterans - particularly the assistance offered in finding work when they leave the forces.