I would add that it has been my observation that the Marines don't hand out awards lightly.
Not to in any way lessen the heroism in all of our services (and I was in a different one from the Corps myself)... but from what I've seen, the Marines don't hand out many medals, especially the big ones. A Bronze Star is unusual enough. For them to award a Silver Star is particularly big news.
At least... that's been my observation.
It should be on the nightly news. We need faces to go with "support the troops." Now we are just getting mothers. That must be a bummer for young adults.