My first Combat Action ribbon was awarded for a similar situation. Our ship, the USS Iwo Jima took fire from an anti-ship missle during the 1st gulf war. The ships sea-wiz guns took care of both incoming missles. We were all awarded the CAR. I was just an embarked Marine and had nothing to do with the action. My second CAR was well earned in Somalia and for which I am most proud. I've always considered the first one a gimme.
Semper Fidelis
(Self-)Esteem enhancement. Some of the crew likely had to change their pads. They'll never get to experience shitting themselves from fear...and still running towards the 'fight'.
"The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal decoration awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (when operating under the control of the Navy) in the grade of captain (or colonel in the Marine Corps) and below who have actively participated in ground or surface combat."
The sailors in question appear to qualify for this award in that they took fire from an enemy force. The criteria is not whether the combat action was more or less intense than any other action. With all due respect to Roy, I remember when the Vietnam veterans were complaining that they were disrespected by some World War II veterans and generally unappreciated. Generally, soldiers/sailors don't get to pick their war.
LSD 48 U.S.S. Ashland was the ship my gunner's mate daughter was assigned to. Her husband was with the FMF on board as well. They were both pissed off when they heard about that attack on their former ship.
Let me get this straight. Someone fires a missile that misses a Navy ship, the sailors get the same medal that a Marine gets for room to room, house to house, hand to hand fighting in Fallujah and Ramadi.