[OldCorps]

In the army, approval authority for awards is as follows:

Distinguished Service Cross/Distinguished Service Medal: 4 Star Commander

Silver Star/Legion of Merit:-3 star or corps commander

Bronze Star/Meritorious Service Medal: - 2 star or division commander

Arcom: Brigade Commander/O-6
Army Acheivement Medal: Battalion Commander O-5

Obviously, DSC, SS, BSM are awards for heroism and only given during wartime. Normally, the appropriate commander signs these awards; ie, for a DSC, you would see a 4 star general's signature. I'm pretty sure the Navy would have the same grade requirements for approval authority of the various awards.

[kabar]

I believe you are correct, but there could be different approval authorities for replacement medals, especially if a significant amount of time has passed since the original awarding of the medal. Since the personnel records are no longer part of the active records, there could be a different chain of command.

Kerry really needs to explain why he has duplicate citations signed over a dozen years apart. There should be a cover or transmital letter as well for each citation.