Iran Air Flights 655

As usual, i will follow every series of air crash investigation on national geographic channel - 7pm.
Today story is about an Iran flight 655 have been destroyed by the US Navy's guided missile cruiser USS Vincennes that full with advanced tecnology equipment in 1988.

There were 290 people on board, including 66 children.
The Iran flight 655 just follow their route as usual from Bandar Abbar to Dubai.
But after 7 minutes iran flight left Bandar Abbas International Airport, 2 missile had took the flight down.

US Navy thought that Iran flight is their enemy, so they fired the 2 missile.

I was wonder why US Navy shot down Iran filght in Iran sea area. That's not their territory indeed. The Iran flight just follow international air way but US Navy mistakenly thought the flight was Iran fight flight F-14.

If the US Navy know its their mistake, they should apologize.. BUT..
they just pay settlement to Iran government.

The U.S. government issued notes of regret for the loss of innocent human life. The government never admitted wrongdoing, and did not accept responsibility nor submitted an apology to the Iranian government. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_Air_Flight_655)

And the crew on US Navy were awarded combat-action ribbons for heroic achievement.
Haiz.. The 290 people really died in no reason and no value at all..

Is this means that the 290 people help the crew to be awarded?
What and where is the logic?