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Of all the posts I have seen on the Award/Lynch subject, I like your the best.

As a never-served civilian, I was loath to walk into this arena.
I'd like the standard on medals/citations to be perfect, but that just can't be.
And history is the best guide...how many times do we hear of someone who
did something super-human in WWII (or later conflicts) finally getting a medal...
sometimes only because a friend or family member pushed for it?
Or maybe had a medal denied due to prejudice (IIRC, some Jewish fellow from Wisconsin
didn't get his medal until about 10 years ago for heroic action in the South Pacific.)

And I admit I've taken a bit of a "squishy" stance. Total fairness would demand
huge investments of time/energy in order to scientifically ration out the rewards.

At some point though, you learn the real Americans are often the ones you'd never
have a clue about as regards their service record. Because they have the
wisdom exceeding philosophers of classical Greece and are just happy they got back
home to live in a great country, made only more fascinating by some of it's imperfections.

For the example of the "quiet American hero" in my life, please go to
this URL:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1932033122/qid%3D1058918741/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/103-6183551-6195032

Mr. McNeice was a postal carrier; our family went to the same church as his.
One day someone told me that "Mr. McNeice was a real tough guy in WWII in the paratroopers"
I didn't believe a word of it until I saw him listed as a reference in the back of one
of Cornelius Ryan's books (can't remember if it was The Longest Day or A Bridge Too Far).
Turned out he survived four combat jumps in the European Theater...a very elite brotherhood.
When "Saving Private Ryan" came out, my brother quibbled about Tom Hanks as the lead.
I said to him "Look, Tom Hanks look about as much like a stone-killer as Jake McNeice does."
My brother said..."You've got a point."

Mr. McNeice was a postal carrier; our family went to the same church as his. One day someone told me that "Mr. McNeice was a real tough guy in WWII in the paratroopers"

We have a CMOH recipient here in our area. He's one of the biggest a-holes there are around here. I guess that's the type it takes to get a CMOH in some cases. I'm grateful for his service though, just don't want to be around him in a restaurant or such. :^)