AirGunner, why the focus on the V? That's shaping the discussion just a bit.
We're not talking about the V, we're talking about the "how can some stateside RPA driver get this award that's higher than a Bronze Star" cries when they're giving out Bronze Stars to shoe clerks like they are going out of style and AM's mostly for sortie count (on average, not for individual achievement).
A neighborhood has 7 identical homes. You buy yours for $300,000 and the other 6 are sold the next day for $100,000 a piece. Would you still think your house was worth $300,000? Same goes for the EOD guy getting the same exact Bronze Star as the FSS guy and the public affairs NCO standing next to him.
Apples to apples, Distinguished Warfighter medal (no V) compared to Bronze Star (no V). You're assigning extra value for the BS and AM for this discussion when the outcry to the dilution of the medal before today was pretty muted.
PS, just saw your last post, this referred to the previous post. I agree with your last post, change is required as recognition of individual efforts need to be the norm, not group participation.