Reply #3: Well, the attack on the restaurant shouldn't be blamed on the aircrew. [View All]

[rockymountaindem]

And I think many of those medals were "campaign medals", or medals distributed just for serving in the campaign. After WWII, we awarded the WWII Victory Medal to anyone who had served a single day in the armed forces during the conflict. There were similar medals awarded for service in specific theatres of confict for 30 days. I also believe the Vietnam Service Medal was awarded for less than a month's service. All of these medals are warranted and are more like badges of service than medals for valor. I can't speak to the valor medals without knowing the specific actions for which they were awarded. Don't be surprised by the volume, though. Someone working in a control office at NORAD would probably be elegible for the "War on Terror Campaign Medal" because they are serving in that campaign.

On edit:
The number of medals being awarded does seem kind of high. I'll agree with you on that. However, some of these medals, like the "War on Terror" medal are designed specifically to be given out to practically everyone. However, the number of valor awards like Bronze Stars etc. seems kind of high.