Copies of military records to include service information, award citations and disciplinary information are stored on microfiche and archived by the Services.
If someone loses their awards, or if the serviceman's record book is destroyed for some reason, a copy of the original document is retrieved from archive and stamped "certified true copy" and signed by an official. A brand-spanking new copy is not generated, nor is the opportunity taken to embellish up the original citation.
In any case, it is stupefying to have three citations signed by three different officers for the same action and award. There is no reasonable explanation for this -- period.
Something is wrong.
I've been looking for "the manual" on this, but so far come up empty handed. Senators may get "special favors," too -- not that it's right. As for embellishment, the language that describes Kerry's action that day is unchanged. The laudatory language (sentence or two) at the conclusion of the Lehman-signed Silver Star citation letter is similar to many other Silver Star citation letters prepared for Vietnam era veterans.
http://www.securenet.net/3rdbn5th/valor.htm <-- Real heros