Who can recommend a person for a decoration for bravery?

Answer 1

Answer

In general (and this specifically applies to WW2), a soldier was recommended for an award by his immediate commander of his unit. The higher the award, the higher up the chain of command the recommendation had to go to get approved. I have seen some documents where an award, such as a Bronze Star Medal, was revoked and a higher award such as a Silver Star Medal was awarded in its place.

Of course, there is always some politics involved in awards. President Lyndon Johnson was in the Air Corps in WW2 but he did not fly in combat but one time. He flew as an observer on a flight of bombers. During the mission, the flight had to abort and return to base when it was attacked by fighters. Johnson was recommended for a high award(forgot what it was?). But he did nothing except observe and not panic. Probably because of his family's political connections, he was given an award.

Also, recently, many WW2 veterans, such as the Tuskegee Airmen, had their records reviewed and awards issued many years after the war. I'm not sure if their commander submitted a recommendation that was turned down or if their exploits were ignored.

A third example is Major Winters of "Band of Brothers" fame. Some want his Silver Star Medal to be upgraded to a Medal of Honor. But that would be purely political or subjective based on the whims of TV fans. He even admits that he did not deserve the Medal of Honor. The airborne troops were expected to do some amazing things. So a regular infantryman could have something in combat and be awarded a medal but the paratrooper would not receive an award for the same feat. Such as it is.