[Burkeman1]

These topics can get real touchy. I have a member of my family that won a Silver Star in WWII that we didn't even know about until after he was dead and were going through his things (he never talked about the war save for one story he had about a dying Waffen SS soldier). My father told me that medal "inflation" during Viet Nam was a problem. In other words- medals were given out like candy during Viet Nam to improve bad morale. Don't attack me- that is what I have heard.

Is this medal a propaganda move? I don't know. I will leave that debate to the people who have served within the last 20 years or currently.

[cynicom]

After Korean war, medal presentation became like candy, especially in the officer group. I think McCain and Kerry are both good represenatives of that trend.