Tourist, I hear what you say. Many good men lost in all types of service, and in all theatres.
However, as the debate is about the award of gallantry medals, I would just note that it's difficult to earn a gallantry award when your ship is torpedoed or bombed or hits a mine ... those events tend to be a bit one-sided, don't they?
(That's an horrendous list, isn't it!)