TTN,
your father would certainly have been entitled to the War Medal 1939-45 as well as the Defence Medal, but if you meant that there was no campaign star awarded for those operations then you are of course correct.
I think that is meant for me. You are correct, while Bruneval and Lofoten were fairly straightforward, Dieppe was anything but and it is sobering to reflect on the recognition received.
I would agree that the whole system is probably due for a root and branch review, one that distinguishes: gallantry, physical danger/hardship and operational contribution.
Separately, IMHO we need to look at the current 'classless' system as it seems to have resulted in too many officers getting awards for doing their job. Personally, I think officers' awards should be much harder to get than ORs' awards.
EG