An interesting thread Chris. Like anything else in life, the truth isn't always what it seems. I've lived and worked with vets my whole life, having been in the Army since I was 17. I've met MoH winners,Silver Star holders etc.... and you just never know what the real story is until you hear it. Another truth is, no matter what your awards, you are only as good as your last OP/contribution.
Of all the people I met, only two remain etched in my memory. The first was a friend of mine's dad. I saw him one day mowing his lawn with his shirt off. He had a 2' long, 3" wide filet missing across his back. I asked him what happened. He told me a Chinese officer had taken a swipe at him with a sword in Korea. He also had to pucker marks in the middle of his abdomen from being bayonetted to ensure he was dead after his unit was over run. Some how he survived and made it back to American lines. His highest award was the Purple Heart.
The other guy was a Staff Sergeant who served in Vietnam. Had a million war stories. One night we were detailed for aggressor duties to go out and harrass trainees in their bivouac area during an FTX. It was about 6 of us with him in charge. We waited until dark and then drove out to the training area. As soon as we got off the truck I hear a voice behind me saying I should lead the way thru the woods to the location of the bivouac. As I lead off this guy is holding on to my web straps and stumbling around, tripping and falling. He keeps pulling me down every time he falls. I ask him what gives and he tells me he can't see ###### at night. Seems he was a baggage handler at Da Nang his whole three tours in Vietnam.