I think that this is a reaction to the give aways in Viet Nam, I still think that D. Birdwell should have gotten the Blue Max, along with his Platoon Sargent, Silver Star and DSC respectively.
The give aways are 99% to officers. Now enlisted grunts pay the price. Officers get decorations based on time and location,,etc.
I agree the standard should be very high. But it shouldnt be in the realm of the exotic. Read the citations from Vietnam, Korea or WWII. They are normal, incredibly brave moments. We are turning MOH into an odd cult-like thing, and ignoring many who deserve it.
I think they just dont want a living man to get one in a ceremony. They dont want any heroes from this war who will live 50 more years. It would interfere with the DNC narrative of this being the evil Bush war.
Im probably saying it wrong, but if some politician gets too snotty today about Vietnam, they will eventually be faced with the heroes of that war. It impedes leftist office holders nastier impulses to this day.
They will not repeat that mistake about this war. Our heroes will be recognized and named. The left only loves the soldier as a helpless victim, they are horrified to show him in his strength. They *never* want that for an example to our young.