It was with curiosity that I read the language contained in the award commemorating Max's gallantry. Curious because I have read it more than a dozen times on other soldier's Silver and Bronze Star histories. When I served in the Army from 1975 to '81, I encountered many a staff officer with the award plaque on their walls, all virtually with the identical language. After a while of seeing this amazing similarity, I had to ask our Battalion Adjutant how this could be? (ignorant little 2nd Louy that I was.)
What came from his files was, to explain the matter, was a "cookbook" that described the proper format and language necessary to procure the appropriately requested award for a given individual. The format was replete with examples of each award language that was guaranteed to procure the requested award; and of course, these examples all mirrored the histories I had noticed before. These cookbook depictions even left blanks for the insertion of dates, units, and places of the supposed action of gallantry.
Furthermore, its not surprising that a horrifically wounded soldier would have an award recommendation made about an event that "occurred" just days before his incident of grievous injury or death. War is hell, and you have only to witness the shattered lives of so many that have returned from the fires of its belly to know that these people have sacrificed more than the common man. They've been there, done that, and are forever marked as special.
But.. don't pull out the bag of medals as proof of honor or valor. The dishonesty that permeates the process of granting such kudos is too suspect to be evidence of anything. The true laurel wreath is in knowing the guy/gal was able to serve and did so honorably.