=================== STARFLEET COMMAND SB ALPHA WOLF 359 =================== ASR AWARDS DESCRIPTIONS Version 1.1 (updated SD 160222) =============================== VERSION HISTORY: ---------------- 1.1- addition of Positioning paragraph by Scott Lusby (SD 160222) 1.0- original creation by D'Maris Coffman and Jeffrey Jenkins (SD 091025) 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 (http://www.alt-starfleet-rpg.org/Library/maunal/index.html) 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 Medal. 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, and Sarek Medals). These medals are awarded for innovative use of existing engineering, scientific, medical, 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.