[tdadams]

I would think it's just the opposite. Routine and unimportant correspondence is signed with an autopen. Official documents and commendations would have to be signed personally.

[NCPAC]

In most instances, your take on the matter is correct. An underling would obtain autopen signatures for basic correspondence - and even some commendations, citations, and awards - to non VIPS. For a sitting Senator, Congressman, or most other VIPs? You had better believe the Secretary would sign the document personally.

[eno_]

I would think it's just the opposite. Routine and unimportant correspondence is signed with an autopen. Official documents and commendations would have to be signed personally.

Yup. A Silver Star is a big deal. Getting the Secretary of the Navy's signature on a citation is a Big Freakin' Deal. Having the Secretary of the Navy's signature turn out to be unauthorized... is PRICELESS.

To add to the mystery: Why forge (or unauthorizedly autopen) the SecDef's signature, when numerous lower ranks could have performed this purportedly routine (but actually rather unusual) act?

This is truly something that makes you go "Hmmmmmmm..."

[Gunrunner2]

Actually, autopen is used to sign awards and decs.

A Silver Star would be written up and signed at the appropriate level. What that level was I do not know, but there would never be multiple citations signed by multiple people for a single award.