Award Explanations

Awards are a special kind of decoration that are a great honor to receive, that usually reflect a very specific or especially significant act of service to the Federation or Starfleet, for which a regular decoration would be insufficient. They are rarely given out, and as a result, will likely not come up very frequently in roleplay, but they do exist.

Gold Palm

Awarded to a member of Starfleet who distinguished themselves by displaying exceptional devotion to the aims and ideals of Starfleet, in times of extreme peril.

Honorstone 

Awarded to veteran warriors of the Klingon Empire, this small, jeweled award is exclusive to those that have proven themselves time and time again to be skilled combatants.

J. Bruce Award 

Awarded to Federation citizens who achieved great things in the fields of engineering and science, specifically when working with technology.

Order of the Gods 

Awarded by the Dominion to individuals who were deemed to have served the Founders in an exceptional way.

Shuvalis Diamond of Recognition 

Awarded to Federation citizens and Starfleet officers who have advanced peaceful relationships with recently discovered alien civilizations, given by the Vulcan High Command.

Starfleet Achievement Award

Awarded to a member of Starfleet who has provided extraordinary service and devotion to duty under difficult, trying, or hazardous conditions.

Starfleet Medal of Honor

The Federation's highest honor. Awarded by the President of the United Federation of Planets to a member of Starfleet who has distinguished themself in action with conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty, by displaying exceptional initiative, bravery, and devotion to the ideals of Starfleet, without regard for their own welfare.

Star of Kahless 

Awarded to Klingon individuals when they join the Order of Kahless, a prestigious Order reserved for only the most accomplished and fearless warriors of the Klingon Empire.

Surakian Peace Prize 

Awarded to ambassadors and individuals who were able to prevent hostilities from breaking out between governments.

Zee-Magnees Prize 

Awarded to those who achieved great things in the fields of military science and engineering, this award is a prestigious honor created to encourage scientific research and advancement.

Decorations are special medals that are awarded for personal acts in service of Starfleet and the Federation. Compared to regular medals, they are more prestigious, since they require a significant act of some sort on the recipient’s part in order to be awarded. 

Anastas Medal of Achievement

Awarded to a female officer of executive command rank or higher to those who had demonstrated superior skill as well as expertise when facing extreme hazards.

Andorian Battle Star

Awarded to command-level Starfleet officers who have shown superior tactical abilities on the battlefield, either personal or command-oriented.

Decoration for Gallantry

Awarded to Starfleet personnel for an exceptional act of courage in battle or war.

Decoration for Valor

Awarded to Starfleet personnel for an exceptional act of courage and the upholding of Federation values.

Decoration for Valor and Gallantry

Awarded to Starfleet officers who displayed extreme bravery in the line of duty. Awarded to officers who demonstrate exceptional tactical acumen.

Drakon Cluster of Courage

Awarded to the most exceptional, stand-out cadets. It is considered the most prestigious award a cadet can receive.

Federation Star for Distinguished Service

Awarded to any Federation citizen who has performed amazing efforts in promoting the Federation and its values.

Federation Medallion

Awarded to a member of Starfleet who has displayed the most exemplary personal initiative and drive in carrying out their duties during a crisis, reflecting credit upon themselves, their unit, and Starfleet.

Four Palm Leaf

Awarded to Starfleet personnel who has excelled and distinguished themselves on first contact missions.

Grankite Order of Excellence

Awarded to an Officer of Starfleet who has displayed exceptional skill, leadership and initiative, utilizing clever and creative thinking in battle, thus saving lives of Starfleet personnel, and ensuring victory.

Heart of S'em-loh

Awarded exclusively to Security personnel for exceptional performance of duty and protection of the ideals of Starfleet and the Federation, even in the face of potential personal harm faced.

Jevonite Cross of Valor

Awarded to members of the Cardassian military for valor and bravery in battle, this decoration is made from the material jevonite.

Karagite Order of Heroism

Awarded to new members of the Karagite Order.  The Karagite Order recognizes officers who displayed exceptional valor and heroism in the face of adversity.  Personnel who display outstanding initiative, courage, or compassion during armed conflict may be presented with this award.

Legate’s Crest of Valor

Awarded to members of the Cardassian military; this is a prestigious award presented to individuals who spent long years of service aiming to uphold Cardassian values.

Legion of Honor

Awarded to an Officer of Starfleet who has displayed devotion to the aims and ideals of Starfleet above and beyond the call of duty, and through sustained, superior performance in execution of their duties, has improved the lives of Federation citizens.

Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery Cross

Awarded to Federation citizens who had made great discoveries, or bold explorers.

Ranam Valassa

Awarded to members of the Romulan Republic Flotilla, as in the Star Empire Navy before it, to great heroes who went above and beyond the call of duty to serve the Romulan state and its citizens.

Silver Palm

Awarded to a member of Starfleet who has distinguished themselves by presenting themselves with courage and valor in times of peril.

Sotarek Citation

Awarded to members of the Romulan Republic Flotilla for exceptional acts of courage, it is considered an honor to be bestowed this prestigious award. 

Starfleet Award of Valor

Awarded to Starfleet officers who carried themselves out of battle without fear or hesitation, saving lives in the process.

Starfleet Citation for Conspicuous Gallantry

Awarded to members of the United Federation of Planets for acts of heroism in the defense of the Federation citizens as well as their property in which the recipient disregarded a clear risk for their personal safety.

Star Cross

Awarded to members of Starfleet for distinguished actions during the course of duty.

Starfleet Cross for Distinguished Service

Awarded by the President of the United Federation of Planets to a member of Starfleet who has distinguished themselves by extraordinary heroism and fearless devotion to duty, while engaged in an action against forces hostile to the United Federation of Planets. The act or acts of heroism must have been so notable and have involved risk of life so extraordinary as to set the individual apart from their peers. 

Star of Arcturus

Awarded to Starfleet personnel in honor of consistent meritorious service and exemplary conduct, this prestigious medal is an honor to have pinned to one’s uniform

Talon Prism

Awarded to Starfleet personnel who achieved victory over an opponent or situation in the face of extreme odds.

Token of the Mek'leth

Awarded to junior officers of the Klingon Defense Force, it is one of the greatest awards an officer of that rank can receive.

Tristar Cluster

Awarded to Starfleet officers for great acts of courage during extreme circumstances.

Medals are one of the most common ways for bravery, heroics and proper conduct to be awarded. They are a little below decorations in terms of prestige, since for many, personal acts of heroics aren’t required so much as being part of a team and working hard to excel in your chosen field, but they are an honor to receive.

Bravery Commendation Medal

Awarded to a member of Starfleet who displays uncommon bravery and valor, when not engaged in combat operations against hostile forces.

Christopher Pike Medal of Valor 

Awarded to Starfleet personnel in recognition of remarkable leadership, meritorious conduct, and acts of personal bravery.

Cochrane Medal of Excellence

Awarded by the Zefram Cochrane Institute for Advanced Theoretical Physics to those scientists who have shown outstanding performances in the physical sciences or advanced engineering application, or some other technological achievement.

Cochrane Medal of Honor

Awarded to Starfleet officers who performed outstanding feats in various areas; it was named for Zefram Cochrane.

Explorer's Medal

Awarded to a member of Starfleet who has demonstrated devotion to the aims and ideals of Starfleet, during a period of Exploratory Service under hazardous conditions.

Federation Medal of Honor

Awarded to a member of Starfleet in honor of an act of special heroism.

Federation Peace Medal

Awarded to any individual who set a personal example for fostering peace, mutual respect and cooperation amongst divergent species.

Federation Medal of Valor

Awarded by the Federation Council to a member of Starfleet to recognize years of sustained distinguished, skillful, and valorous service to Starfleet and the aims and ideals of the United Federation of Planets. This is the most prestigious medal an officer can receive.

Federation Service Medal

Awarded to a member of Starfleet  who has displayed exceptional gallantry, leadership and devotion to duty in service to Starfleet, and the ideals of the Federation.

General Koord Medal of Honor

Awarded to members of the Klingon Defense Force for honorable military achievement. 

Golden Nova Medal

Awarded to Starfleet officers for exemplary work performed during the course of duty.

Grankite Order of Honor

Awarded to cadets who during their tour of study at Starfleet Academy demonstrated a selfless heroism in support of the Federation and of Starfleet Command

The Great Comet

Awarded to members of the Romulan Republic Flotilla as in the Romulan Star Empire, this award, also known as D’takaram, is presented to officers who have secured new resources and made discoveries in name of and for the Romulan Republic.

Humanitarian Service Medal

Awarded to a member of Starfleet who has directly participated in a humanitarian act or operation designated by Starfleet Command as extraordinary, or noteworthy.

Klingon Courage Medal

Awarded to members of the Klingon Defense Force who directly contributed to victories in the field of battle.

Klingon Empire Medallion

Awarded to great warriors in the Klingon Defense Force, this is a minor commendation many will receive at some point.

Loyalty Commendation Medal

Awarded to a member of Starfleet for displays of extreme loyalty or devotion to Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets.

Palm Leaf Diplomatic Award

Awarded to officers of Starfleet who have served with distinction on a crucial diplomatic mission, displaying devotion to the aims and ideals of Starfleet through sustained, superior performance to insure the success of the mission.

POW Medal

Awarded to a member of Starfleet who has displayed the highest level of discipline and conduct, while being held captive as a Prisoner of War. 

Starfleet Good Conduct Medal

Awarded to Starfleet officers who have carried themselves with dignity and dedication to their work through minor crises, this is a minor commendation many will receive at some point.

Starfleet Medal of Commendation

Awarded to Starfleet personnel for conspicuous acts of valor and heroism.

Triple Medal of Valor

Awarded to members of the Cardassian military who have faced battle with honor and dignity, and carried on representing Cardassian morals and values despite adversity faced.

Ribbons are on the same level as medals in terms of prestige, at most a half-step lower on the ladder. There is a ribbon equivalent for every medal listed above, but there are also several ribbons that don’t have any equivalent among the medals, which are listed below.

777 Service Bar

Awarded to those characters who have remained on Starbase 777, year after year. Each year a new strip is added.

Archer Ribbon for Conspicuous Bravery

Awarded to Starfleet officers who have conducted acts of significant bravery.

Elite Marksmanship Ribbon

Awarded to members of Starfleet who have exceptional marksmanship with hand weapons.

Federation Exploration Service Ribbon

Awarded to a member of Starfleet who has taken part in a significant exploration mission.

Preantares Ribbon of Commendation

Awarded to civilians or Starfleet personnel who had saved the life of another Federation citizen through entirely peaceful means.

Rhosyn-Cleddyf

Awarded to people who have provided services of compassion under extreme conditions.

Ribbon for Meritorious Service

Awarded to Starfleet personnel in recognition of exemplary service to the Federation.

Watters Ribbon of Valor

Awarded to Starfleet cadets who show exceptional leadership in training exercises or on duty as part of a Cadet Cruise.

Unit awards are not awarded to any singular person, but are instead given to entire teams at a time. Depending on the achievements of the team, the significance of the mission, and the danger that needed to be survived in order to complete the mission, one of these commendations may be awarded, with a corresponding ribbon for all members of the units in question.

Federation Unit Citation

Awarded to a unit of Starfleet for their extraordinarily gallant and heroic actions, reflecting great credit upon themselves and Starfleet Command, in keeping with the highest traditions of Starfleet Service.

Meritorious Unit Commendation

Awarded to a unit of Starfleet that has displayed meritorious conduct, reflecting great credit upon themselves, and Starfleet.

Starfleet Unit Citation

Awarded to a unit of Starfleet for their conspicuously heroic actions, reflecting well upon themselves and Starfleet Command.

These citations don’t have any physical award attached to them, but are included in the personnel file and reflect well on the individual who has earned them. 

Exceptional Performance of Duty Citation

Awarded to Starfleet personnel who went above and beyond in performing their duties, completing a task (or maintaining sustained efforts) to create solutions and new opportunities in dangerous situations or conflict.

Marksmanship Commendation

Awarded to a member of Starfleet who has demonstrated exceptional marksmanship with hand weapons.  Most Security officers achieve this award sometime during their Academy service.

Valiant Commendation

Awarded to Starfleet cadets who show exceptional teamwork.