Service Medals

I searched around for some Trek service medal images on the web, and came to the conclusion that I could do what they were doing, only better.

I've spent the evening creating images of Trek service medals using photoshop, some images of Air Force medals, and some Trek images from around the web. I've placed nine of them on my web site. They are currently unnamed, with zero information associated to them (it's a contest for my players to name them).

You guys are welcome to them for use in your own games or web sites, or wallpaper, or birdcage liners, whatever. :)

Medal Page

I'm a Navy guy, so I'm not familiar with the USAF-specific looks...but with the Trek stuff, it was clear in TOS that they didn't use the traditional medal design (traditional by our Ameri-centric standards) on their dress uniforms.

Awards were represented by triangles, arranged in patterns on the left side of an officer's tunic. Of course, we *did* see the IDIC specifically (that's #5 on your page... ;) )

Now, in ST VI, we see the traditional "fruit salad" in the C-in-C's meeting. Makes you wonder which ribbon represented which medal in Kirk's service record.

#2 looks like it was based on the UN Service medal (which would be Korean War era, I believe :) )

#4 is based on the Distinguished Service Medal

#5 has to be the IDIC

#7 Looks like it came from the Legion of Merit

I guess #'s 1 and 9 are TNG-era medals?

Why does every medal need to be of Human/U.S. design origin- the whole colored ribbon over an identifiable circular-ish medallion? I really liked the TOS 'fruit-salad' or 'corn-chip-dish' :) with the multi-colored triangles.

Now I realize that the bulk of Starfleet seem to be humans, but there are 'over one hundred and fifty worlds' even assuming half are now independent colonies that still means 75 unique and different medal concepts. At least 4 from the on-start of the Federation Andorian (who knows), Tellerite (who knows), Terran (we all should know), and Vulcan (multiple, clear, colored, pieces of...well plastic, hung from a dark chain around the neck). I'm still trying to de-'Homo-sapiens only club' the image of Trek in my game, so far 35% of the ship's crew is not human.

But, the work you've put into the project looks real good, the only complaint I have is, the last medal- one part can-opener, one part bat'leth, you could kill someone with that thing :)

Starfleet is a human organization, started on Earth, inheriting military tradition from days of yore. So, in my corner of the Trek universe, Starfleet service medals are grounded in today's quite human traditions. These would be the ones given to an officer for personal display and fruit salad ribbons (or triangles, or potato chips) would be used on the dress uniform. Other worlds/organizations would have more alien types of decorations, but I'm coming at this from the Starfleet perspective, and a DS9-era one at that. I believe that in Measure of a Man Data had a box with his medals displayed in it, looking much like these.

In any event, I'm not trying to lay my own canon (or 'human preconceptions') on anyone, just trying to give my players something they can look at if their characters are given a prestigious award. Feel free to use 'em. Or not. :)

Sea Tyger, you're very much correct in terms of my sources. :)

I know very little about medals & awards, but I'll give this a shot anyway :)

1. the Cogwheel of Engineering Accomplishment
2. the Federation Award for service & bravery
3. the Starfleet Battlecross for bravery in combat
4. the Federation Star for service & bravery beyond the call of duty
5. the Arrow of Kolinar (umm, there should be an 'h' in there somewhere....)
6. Federation Flag award for Geriatrics :D
7. Federation Posthumorous Star for bravery & death in combat
8. the Starfleet Silver Cross of Achievement
9. the Starfleet Bottleopener of Retirement ;)

First:
Nice work. Those look good.

Second:
Mr. Raets, I like the Borg smiliey in your sig. :)http://home.earthlink.net/~spyone/borgsmile.gif

Third:
Even if it doesn't count, I'd like to vote.
1) no clue
2) something Federation.
3) no clue
4) a bigger Federation Honor. Prob. equal to Congressional Medal of Honor.
5) some Vulcan award
6&7) no real clue
8) Starfleet Command School Graduate
9-11) no clue
12) Distinguished Humanitarian Service ('cause the hand appears to be reaching out, like to offer help).
OR
Successful First Contact (again, the outstretched hand of friendship).
13) In recognition of significan Medical Advances, or perhaps just graduating Starfleet Medical.

I'm an Air Force guy, so I'm pretty familiar with these. :)

#1 is based on the Air Force Achievement Medal. I have that one, with an Oak Leaf Cluster, for my service with the Honor Guard.

I recognize the UN Medal ribbon, the Legion of Merit ribbon, and the Air Medal ribbon. Some of the others look familiar, but I'll have to actually do some research to figure out what they are.

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You forgot to add the nice new dismissal paper you with #11. :D

Anamoly I love your medals, may I use them in my game?

Also great webpage as well. Very, very nice stuff.

You should join up with the Star Trek Photomanip Archive :)

Keep up the great work skipper!

There's a picture of Data's medals here, if anyone's interested.

http://www.decipher.com/startrek/car...tasmedals.html

Here are the winners of the Name The Medal contest on my game. It's funny how #1 corresponds to what Styro suggested it be. Though I like his explaination better: 'Performance Above And Beyond The Laws Of Physics'. :)

1) The Montgomery Scott Medal of Service: Originally awarded solely to engineers, and still submitted by the Starfleet Engineering Command, this award has also been extended to Starfleet officers of any department, "For outstanding innovation or use of technical skill in the service of Starfleet and the Federation under dangerous or hostile conditions," the 'Scott's Cog' was devised to recognize the role Starfleets' technical and scientific staff often have in saving lives, and when necessary, winning battles.

2) UFP Medal of Freedom - The Federation Medal of Freedom: The highest award the Federation Council can grant, the Medal of Freedom is in recognition of those, Starfleet or Civilian, who through great personal valour, sacrifice, or bravery, 'safeguard the life and liberty of the Federation. her people, or her member worlds.' This one is quite often, in fact, given for 'saving the planet,' the Federation, and such, but also other exemplary and noble acts or services by Federation citizens. Even when awarded to Starfleet officers, it is not considered a military award, but to the officer as a citizen.

3) The Exploration Service Star: A traditional Andorian glyph carried into space by their earliest probes, this medal has been through many names and permutations since introduced in the earliest days of Starfleet: current criteria are simply, "For excellence in the exploration of the unknown," though currently, it is usually awarded at homecoming ceremonies for visible Explorer-captains.

4) Federation Medal of Honor: is awarded by the Federation President in the name of the Federation Council to a person who, while a member of Starfleet, distinguishes himself or herself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his 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 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. Of the numerous benefits conferred along with the decoration, the children of Medal of Honor awardees are not required to complete the Starfleet Academy Entrance Examination, and are automatically placed in the next available class.

5) IDIC award. This variant of the well-known Vulcan IDIC symbol, is awarded by the Vulcan Peace Mission for 'acts, theses or negotiations which materially further the cause of peace and harmonious interaction between sentient beings.'

6) The Prantares Ribbon: One of the earliest Starfleet decorations, this miniature banner represents the banner hastily-invented and fabricated used in important treaty negotiations by a resourcesful Centauran starship captain, Imo Prantares, who learned at the last moment that the Articles of the Confederation had been signed while he was in transit, though no information on the Federation's seal had been reached. The banner he devised, though, remained traditional in diplomatic negotiations for some time, however, and the Prantares Ribbon is awarded by the Diplomatic Corps for 'meritorious acheivement in a first contact situation.'

7) Daystrom Award for Groundbreaking Scientific Breakthrough: Awarded to Federation scientists who have made outstanding achievements in the field of science that have contributed to the betterment of its citizenry. Awarded by the Federation Science Council.

8) Order of Hippocrates - Awarded for advances in the field of medicine, or for distinguished heroism in the line of medical duty. Conferred on officers in Medical or Counseling branches by Starfleet Medical.

9) Starfleet Combat Medal: is awarded in the name of the President of the United Federation of Planets to any member of Starfleet or any citizen of the United Federation of Planets who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with Starfleet, has been wounded or killed, or who has died or may hereafter die after being wounded--(1) In any action against an enemy of the United Federation of Planets. (2) In any action with an opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the forces of the United Federation of Planets are or have been engaged. (3) 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. (4) As a result of an act of any such enemy of opposing armed forces. (5) As the result of an act of any hostile foreign force. (6) As a result of a terrorist attack against the United Federation of Planets or a foreign power friendly to the United Federation of Planets, recognized as such an attack by the Commander in Chief, Starfleet.

10) Distinguished Service Star: is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with Starfleet, distinguished himself or herself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor; while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United Federation of Planets; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing or 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 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 his or her comrades.

11) Federation Medal of Valor: is awarded to a person who, while serving in any capacity with Starfleet, is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United Federation of Planets while engaged in 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 Distinguished Service star, must nevertheless have been performed with marked distinction.

12. Hand of Mercy - Decoration for humanitarian relief. Awarded to those in Starfleet who distinguish themselves through sacrifice to help ease the suffering of others. Presented by the Federation Science Council.

13. Carrington Award for Groundbreaking Advancement in the Field of Medicine - the Carrington Award for short. Awarded by the Federation Science Council, the highest award for medical research and discovery.

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Originally posted by AslanC
Anamoly I love your medals, may I use them in my game?

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Thanks, Aslan. I appreciate the kind words. And of course you can use them in your game or on your web page, or whatever. It was my sole purpose in bringing them here onto the boards.

Just to help any future medal creations:

rustyknight.topcities.com/Medals.htm

Very nice pictures. My family has a few of the Polish one's, maybe some people on this site will see their own medals there.

That's an impressive collection. He seems to have every medal I've been awarded, except my Kuwaiti Liberation medal.