I agree. I think it was Truman who once said when awarding one of these that he rather have that medal than be president.
Col. Day would have rather not gotten the Medal. I was a photographer at Eglin AFB when he was the JAG there, about 1977-78. He was a good and humble man who did his best in trying times. I don't doubt he was still doing his best right up to his last moment here.
I note in the article about him in the NY Times, they said "Colonel Day represented military retirees in a federal court case aimed at securing what they said were health benefits once promised by their recruiters." I was one of those retirees. I distinctly remember my recruiter telling me that my wife and I would have free healthcare for life, if I stayed in long enough to retire. I did, but Congress did what it seems to have done throughout history. Nothing good for the troops they made promises to.
My 19YO daughter is in Navy Basic Training, beginning her 5th of 8 weeks. I told her not to trust them to do what they've promised for her, either. I did not tell her not to serve, since it's likely she'll meet some of her own heroes while she does, like I did.
WRM, MSgt. USAF(Ret.) 1973-1997.