Vietnam Marine vet awarded Navy Cross 55 years after saving Marines while wounded

Don't get me started: The sentiment around posthumous awards often revolves around the bittersweet nature of recognition that comes too late for the recipient to appreciate or benefit from personally. Critics argue that while these awards can honor the legacy of an individual, they also highlight a missed opportunity by the awarding bodies to recognize talent or contributions during the person's lifetime when it could have made a significant difference to their career or personal validation. This practice sometimes feels like an afterthought, where the award serves more to assuage the guilt of the living or to capitalize on the emotional impact of the recipient's death rather than genuinely celebrating their work. Moreover, posthumous awards can stir controversy, especially when the awardee's actions or legacy are divisive, leading to debates over the appropriateness or the true intent behind such honors.