Shiny Things On Your Chest
These are listed from top to bottom in rank of Highest Award to Lowest Award in each section.
Main Awards
Terran Confederation Inter-Congressional Medal of Honor: Awarded to members of the Terran Confederation armed forces for instances of "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty." There is a separate Terran Confederation Inter-Congressional Medal of Honor for each branch of the military. Often referred to as the "Pewter Planet."
Distinguished Service Cross: Awarded to members of the Terran Confederation armed forces for "distinguished acts of heroism that do not merit the Terran Confederation Medal of Honor but that involve exceptional risk of life." Awards may be issued to service members of another branch, but are always issued /by/ the named branch. (This situation is most commonly seen with TCSF Shuttle pilots being granded the Marine DSC by the TCMC) Each version of this decoration counts as a seperate award and can be worn concurrently.
Gold Star:Awarded to members of the Terran Confederation armed forces for instances of "exceptional bravery against hopeless odds." Additional Gold Stars are denoted by gold bars affixed to the ribbon area.
Terran Confederation Flying Cross: Awarded to members of the Terran Confederation armed forces who distinguish themselves in combat in support of operations "by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight." This can be awarded to Navy and Marine personnel who perform to this level while in transit or performing defensive operations on board TCSF vessels.
Silver Star: Awarded to members of the Terran Confederation armed forces for instances of "exceptional bravery against overwhelming opposition." Additional Silver Stars are denoted by silver bars affixed to the ribbon area. A higher order, the Silver Star with Gold Wings, is also awarded.
Bronze Star: Awarded to members of the Terran Confederation armed forces for instances of "exceptional bravery under fire." Additional Bronze Stars are denoted by bronze bars affixed to the ribbon area.
Purple Heart: Awarded to members of the Terran Confederation armed forces who are killed or wounded while serving the military.
Golden Sun: Awarded to members of the Terran Confederation Space Force for "surviving the destruction of one's ship" and can involve ejection from a fighter/bomber or via escape pod from a capital ship. The Golden Sun is awarded only once.
Pilot-Specific
Millennium Award: Awarded to pilot who has achieved 1000 enemy fighter kills. Torpedo device is affixed if the kills are capital ships. Award with and without torpedo device are considered seperate awards.
Century Award: Awarded to pilot who has achieved 100 enemy fighter kills. Torpedo device is affixed if the kills are capital ships. Award with and without torpedo device are considered seperate awards.
100 Mission Award: Awarded to a pilot who has successfully completed 100 combat missions.
Blaze: Awarded to members of the Terran Confederation Space Force for instances of "conspicuous gallantry."
Ace of Aces Medal: Awarded to pilot who has achieved 25 enemy fighter kills. Torpedo device is affixed if the kills are capital ships. Award with and without torpedo device are considered seperate awards.
25 Mission Award: Awarded to a pilot who has successfully completed 25 combat missions
Ace Award: Awarded to pilot who has achieved 5 enemy fighter kills. Torpedo device is affixed if the kills are capital ships. Award with and without torpedo device are considered separate awards.
5 Mission Award: Awarded to a pilot who has successfully completed 5 combat missions.
Red Comet: Awarded to members of the Terran Confederation Space Force who are "honorably killed in action while participating in an aerial flight."
Other Medals
Veteran CapShip Commander's Ribbon: Awarded to an officer who as commanded a capital ship (Corvette or larger) for the duration of a campaign.
CapShip Commander's Ribbon: Awarded to an officer who has commanded a capital ship (Corvette or larger) in a combat operation.
Gemini Campaign Ribbon: Awarded to a member of the armed forces who has successfully completed at least one combat mission in the Gemini Sector.
CSC Ribbon: Awarded to a senior officer upon graduation from the Confederation Command Staff College
Academy Graduate's Ribbon: Awarded to an officer upon graduation from the Confederation Service Acaemy.
Civilian
Black Eagle of Courage: The highest award given to those who "voluntarily performed in intelligence operations at extreme risk to life." This is awarded by the Central Intelligence Services to field personnel and all winner's names, as well as the details of their operations, are considered to be among some of the best-kept secrets in the CONFED government.
Terran Confederation Medal of Freedom: Awarded to Terran Confederation civilians for instances of "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the Terran Confederation, or to galactic peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors." The Terran Confederation Medal of Freedom is the highest award given to civilians.
Legion of Honor: Essentially equivalent to the TCN/SF/M Silver Star, this is another medal awarded by the Central Intelligence Services. The identity of these winners are kept secret during their service. Upon retirement, they are announced however the details of the related operations remain shrouded in mystery.
