Awarding the Silver Star to Johnson, forever tarnished the meaning of the medal. Saddest part of all, was the man was not ashamed to show it to people long after the war.
Some here may be too young to remember Johnson and the Silver Star affair. Johnson was a shallow, vain, egomaniac, that became president of this country.
Crewmembers on that same mission didn't recall anything out of the ordinary, and didn't receive anything except points towards an Air Medal (30 flights in hostile territory unless special circumstances). When they found out the JAFO on board received a Silver Star, they were amazed.