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Introduction:
When the current policies and procedures document on ASR Awards was
passed at the October 1996 RT, it was also mandated that the CINCSF
and CSFO should produce an FAQ governing the descriptions of the key
awards.
The former CINCSF was unable to complete this task during his term of
office. Therefore, it falls to the present CINCSF and CSFO to do so.
What follows is the text of key awards which otherwise would have found
its way into said proposal, had the authors not been cautioned such
material was out of place.
As noted, there may be additional awards in use on a fleet by fleet
basis, and some fleets may omit altogether any number of those found
below.
Positioning of Awards:
Miniature medals are worn on the Mess Dress (white)
uniform only, on the right breast; ribbons are worn on the Regular Dress
(black) uniforms, on the right breast as well. They are worn according
to a specific order of importance- see
Appendix D of the
ASR Manual for the order
of preference, as well as graphical representations of the major awards.
Descriptions of Key Awards:
STAR FLEET AWARDS
Medal of Valor. The Medal of Valor is the highest medal awarded
by the United Federation of Planets. The Medal of Valor is awarded by
the President in the name of Federation Council to a person who distinguishes
himself or herself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the
risk of his life or her life above and beyond the call of duty while
engaged in an action against an enemy of the United Federation of Planets;
while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing
foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged
in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United
Federation of Planets is not a belligerent party. The deed performed
must have been one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous
as to clearly distinguish the individual above his comrades and must
have involved risk of life. Incontestable proof of the performance of
the service will be exacted and each recommendation for the award of
this decoration will be considered on the standard of extraordinary
merit.
Star Fleet Cross (Golden Nebula). The Star Fleet Cross is awarded
to officers and enlisted personnel of Star Fleet and the Marine Corps
who distinguish themselves by extraordinary heroism, not justifying
the award of the Medal of Valor, in military operations against and
armed enemy.
Latinum Star. The Latinum Star is awarded to officers who, while
serving in the armed forced of the United Federation of Planets, led
Federation forces to victory in military operations against and armed
enemy and against overwhelming odds.
Star Fleet Medal. The Star Fleet Medal is awarded to any person
of the armed forces of the United Federation of Planets or of a friendly
foreign nation who, while serving in any capacity with the Star Fleet,
distinguished himself or herself by heroism not involving actual conflict
with an enemy. The same degree of heroism is required as for the award
of the Star Fleet Cross. The performance must have involved personal
hazard or danger and the voluntary risk of life under conditions not
involving conflict with an armed enemy. Awards will not be made solely
on the basis of having saved a life.
Distinguished Service Medal. The Distinguished Service Medal
is awarded any member of the armed forces who, while serving with the
Star Fleet in any capacity, distinguishes themselves by extraordinary
service to the United Federation of Planets in a duty of great responsibility.
Awarded for combat or non-combat service.
Silver Star. The Silver Star is awarded to a person who, while
serving in any capacity with the United Federation of Planets armed
forces is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United
Federation of Planets while engaged in military operations involving
conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly
foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against an opposing armed force
in which the United Federation of Planets is not a belligerent party.
The required gallantry, while of a lesser degree than that required
for the Star Fleet Cross, must nevertheless have been performed with
marked distinction. It is awarded for combat action only, and ranks
as the third highest valor decoration of the United Federation of Planets.
Legion of Merit. The Legion of Merit is awarded to any member
of the armed forces of the United Federation of Planets or a friendly
foreign nation who has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally
meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.
The recipient must occupy a position of great responsibility and would
normally be a high ranking officer of staff or flag rank.
Cross of Alexander. The Cross of Alexander is awarded to any
person who, while serving in any capacity with the armed forces of the
United Federation of Planets, distinguished himself or herself by extraordinary
achievement in strategy and tactics. The performance must be evidenced
by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty. The extraordinary
achievement must have resulted in an accomplishment so exceptional and
outstanding as to clearly set the individual apart from his or her comrades
or from other persons in similar circumstances. Awards will be made
only to recognize single acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement
and will not be made in recognition of sustained operational activities
against an armed enemy.
Bronze Star. The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who,
while serving in any capacity in or with the armed forces of the United
Federation of Planets, distinguished himself or herself by heroic or
meritorious achievement or service in connection with military operations
against an armed enemy; or while engaged in military operations involving
conflict with an opposing armed force in which the United Federation
of Planets is not a belligerent party.
Star of Hope. The Star of Hope is awarded for combat action only,
and is awarded to any person wounded in action while serving the armed
forces of the United Federation of Planets. It is only awarded posthumously.
Wounded Lion. The Wounded Lion is awarded for combat action only,
and is awarded to any person wounded in action while serving the armed
forces of the United Federation of Planets. It is not awarded posthumously.
Meritorious Service Medal. The Meritorious Service Medal is awarded
to any member of the armed forces of the United Federation of Planets
or to any member of the armed forces of a friendly foreign nation who,
while serving in a noncombat area has distinguished himself or herself
by outstanding meritorious achievement or service.
Star Fleet Commendation Medal. The Star Fleet Commendation Ribbon
is awarded to any junior officer or enlisted person of the armed forces
of the United Federation of Planets who distinguishes himself or herself
by heroism, outstanding achievement or meritorious service. This medal
has often been awarded for life saving, in place of the medals originally
created for that purpose.
Star Fleet Achievement Medal. The Star Fleet achievement is awarded
to any junior officer or enlisted member of the armed forces of the
United foreign nation, who while serving in any capacity with the Star
Fleet distinguishes himself or herseld by outstanding preofessional
achievement or for leadership.
Combat Action Ribbon. This ribbon is awarded to members of the
armed forces of the United Federation of Planets for combat action service.
The principal requirement is that the personnel must have been in a
ground or space combat fire-fight, or action during which they were
under enemy fire, and that their performance under fire must have been
satisfactory.
Prisoner of War Medal. The POW Medal is issued only to any person
who was taken prisoner or held captive while engaged in action against
an enemy of the United Federation of Planets, or while serving with
friendly forces engaged in armed conflict. The recipient's conduct,
while in captivity, must have been honorable.
FEDERATION AWARDS
Medal of Freedom. The Medal of Freedom is awarded for significant
new discoveries or efforts which substantially advance the areas of
science, engineering, medicine, and diplomacy.
Gold Lifesaving Medal. This medal is awarded to any person who
rescues, or endeavours to rescue, any other person from harm. The rescue
must have been at the risk of the rescuer's own life, with evidence
of extreme and heroic daring.
Medal for Merit (Zephram Cochrane, Noonian Soong, Leonard McCoy,
Hikaru Sulu and Sarek
Medals). These medals are awarded for innovative use of existing engineering,
scientific, medical, explorative or diplomatic knowledge to solve a
problem.
Silver Lifesaving Medal. This medal is awarded to any person
who rescues, or endeavours to rescue, any other person from harm. The
Silver Medal differs from the Gold Lifesaving Medal in that the act
need not involve the degree of heroism and risk called for in the Gold
Medal.
UNIT AWARDS
Star Fleet Unit Citation. This is awarded by the Commander-in-Chief
of Star Fleet in the name of the President, to any United Federation
of Planet armed forces unit for outstanding performance in the service
of the United Federation of Planets.
Fleet Unit Commendation. This unit commendation is conferred
on any United Federation of Planet armed forces unit which distinguished
itself by outstanding heroism or extremely meritorious service, but
not sufficient to warrant award of the Star Fleet Unit Citation.
Meritorious Unit Commendation. This unit commendation is conferred
on any United Federation of Planet armed forces unit which distinguished
itself by either valorous or meritorious achievement considered outstanding
when compared to other units performing similar service, but not sufficient
to justify award of the Fleet Unit Commendation.
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