Who selects soldiers to receive medals in a war?

Answer 1

In most cases it is on the recommendation of the unit's commanding officer. They submit the request through channels following the formats that can be found in the Regulations. The citations and documentation are reviewed at each level to determine that they meet the requirements for the award. They can approve it as is, or send up with a recommendation for a lessor award.

An award for an act of heroism of any kind can be noted up the chain of

command, the higher the award merits, the higher up the chain it goes. At

one time, a General officer might waltz around with a knapsack filled with with Bronze Stars and Silver Stars to hand out when he visited the front.

Some medals are automatic, and result from service in a certain place at a

specific time. Some medals have been awarded as part of a "Good Olde

Boys Network", and claims have been made of Purple Hearts given to the company clerk for paper cuts abound. In the US Military the criteria for an

award is now well defined and a "herd of lettuce" on someone's chest is

known by all military and some civilians for what it is, the Purple Heart is a

dividing line. Above is good, below is junk.