The damage done to cities all across the world was appalling, to a large extent understandable within the context of the war, but appalling nonetheless.
What I found particularly shocking however about Dresden was the enormous destruction and loss of life (depending upon estimate anything from 25,000 to about 5 times that - in less than 48 hours), in a largely non-military city, when we were already in Europe and working our way steadily across it. It is very hard to see the military justification compared to e.g. the British bombing of Berlin, or even the German bombing of Coventry which were dreadful events in themselves, but more easily understandable militarily.
Not one medal? The dams raid alone caused 32 medals to be awarded, including a VC to W/C Gibson. For that matter there was a Bomber Command medal.