Ribbon & Medal Explanation

Note:  Not all the ribbons and medals here are meant to be viewed the way they would in Real Life. Since this is a futuristic story with a fictional combat unit, I had to exercise a bit of poetic license - the Dept. of the Navy wasn't real keen on crafting new insignia and ribbons for a fictional character. <g>

Navy Cross:  For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force. A silver star is worn in lieu of 5 gold stars

Distinguished Service Medal:  For exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility. Two Silver Oak Leaf Clusters indicate two awards issued outside of the Department of the Navy.

Silver Star Medal:  For distinguished gallantry in action against an enemy or while serving with friendly forces against an opposing enemy force. A Gold Star is worn for each subsequent award.

Defense Superior Service Medal:  For superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility while assigned to a joint activity.

Distinguished Fighting Cross:  For heroism or extraordinary achievement in non-weapon fighting in the air or sea. A Gold Star is worn for subsequent awards.

Navy and Marine Corps Medal:  For acts of heroism not involving actual conflict with an opposing armed force. The Marine Corps symbol indicates a Marine aware. The red to the heart indicates the shedding of Sabre blood.

Bronze Star Medal:  For heroic or meritorious achievement of service, not involving aerial flight in connection with operations against an opposing armed force. The bronze "V" identifies the award as resulting from an act of combat heroism or "VALOR", thus distinguishing it from meritorious achievement awards.

Purple Heart:  Awarded for wounds or death as result of an attack. Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster indicates an award received outside of the Department of the Navy.

Meritorious Service Medal:  For Outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement or service. A Gold Star is worn for subsequent awards.

Navy Commendation Medal:  For heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service. Four Gold Stars for recognition from other than chain of command.

Joint Service Achievement Medal:  For meritorious achievement or service while assigned to a joint activity.

Navy Achievement Medal:  For junior officers and enlisted personnel whose professional and/or leadership achievements are clearly of a superlative nature. A Gold Star is worn for each subsequent award.

Combat Action Ribbon:  For active participation in ground or surface combat while in the grade of captain/colonel or junior thereto. Two Bronze Oak Clusters indicate service under leadership other than the Department of the Navy. Red to the heart indicates the shedding of Sabre blood.

Joint Meritorious Unit Citation:  Recognizes joint units or activities for meritorious achievement or service superior to that which would normally be expected during combat. The bronze "V" identifies the award as resulting from an act of combat heroism or "VALOR". The Frame indicates it is a Sabre Unit award.

Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation:  For valorous or meritorious achievement or service that renders the unit outstanding as compared to other units performing the same service. The Frame indicates it is a Sabre Unit award.

Hand to Hand Combat Medal:  Awarded for skill in hand-to-hand combat (Sabre award only). The ‘E’ with wreath indicates an Expert.

Gold Lifesaving Medal:  Awarded for saving another’s life usually at the risk of their own. A Gold Star is worn for each subsequent award.

Good Conduct Medal:  For three years of continuous active service by an enlisted member of the Marine Corps or Marine Corps Reserve, of a creditable above-average nature in the areas of obedience, sobriety, neatness, bearing and intelligence. A Bronze Star is worn for each subsequent Award.

Amazon Expeditionary Medal:  Awarded for Amazon Service.

Defense Service Medal:  For defensive service only when requested by civilians. A Bronze Service Star is worn for each subsequent award.

Humanitarian Service Medal:  For meritorious direct participation in a significant military act or operation of a humanitarian nature. A Gold Star is awarded for joint unit recognition.

Crossbow Weapons Medal:  Awarded for skill with crossbow. (Sabre award only) Frame indicates Expert.

Retirement Service Medal:  Medal with Gold Star indicates service after retirement.