US Representative Duncan Hunter (R-CA) wrote a letter to Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus questioning why no US Marine has been awarded for their actions in Libya — despite the very public search and rescue of a downed F-15E Strike Eagle crew.

“It has come to my attention that no awards or recognition have been approved for Marine aviators who flew combat missions over Libya,” Hunter wrote in a recent letter to Mabus. 

Apparently a request is in to designate Libya a combat area, which might make such awards more forthcoming.

Hunter is a Marine veteran himself.

While there is certainly some validity in recognizing troops for their actions, it’s also worth saying that not every thing nor every one should get a medal “just ’cause.”  Taken to an extreme, it demeans and dilutes such recognition, inhibiting the ability to publicly recognize actual nobility and heroism.