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Medals
As might be imagined, there are a great many honors and medals of merit
available to the Imperial Guardsman throughout the galaxy. Many are specific to
particular worlds or campaigns, while others are Empire-wide. In this section we
will confine ourselves to the medals and honors of valor won by the Lyubov 18th
(the most recent of which were honorably won in the battles fought on the doomed
world of Medusa V).
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The Star of Terra The Star of Terra is the highest military
award conferred by the Imperium. It is awarded for conspicuous gallantry
and intrepidity at the risk of one's life far above and beyond the call
of duty while engaged in an action against any enemy of the Terran
Imperium; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with
an opposing foreign, alien or rebellious force. Because of the nature of
its criteria, the medal is often awarded posthumously. |
Order of Macharius Named for
St. Macharius and awarded to
Imperial Guard officers for tactical brilliance and unusual initiative,
It cannot be won by mere valor. It recognizes the highest levels of
military leadership ability. Mere valor cannot win the Order of Macharius, it can only be won by spectacular
success won by dint of strategic excellence in the face of an armed
enemy.
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Honorifica Imperialis The
honorifica is actually a class of awards given to members of the Imperial military, the Honorifica Imperialis denotes an individual who has distinguished
himself above and beyond the call of duty and who represents the finest
ideals humanity can aspire to. The Honorifica Imperialis is awarded for
valor in a specific campaign - the Honorifica of Iron Gate is pictured. |
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Merit of
the High Lords
To be awarded a Merit of the High Lords is
a rare honor indeed, bestowed upon the greatest of commanders – those
whose valor is such that his name has been mentioned in the Chamber of
the High Lords. It is nicknamed the ‘double-edged sword’, as it
inevitably means the individual who receives it will be under particular
scrutiny from his superiors from that point onwards. He can expect to be
assigned to the most horrific battlefronts by jealous superiors in order
to pass on his wisdom and courage first hand. |
Order of St. Ollanius Pius
St. Ollanius Pius is a legendary
figure, said to be a Guardsman who sacrificed his life to save the
Emperor during the Horus Heresy. He is considered the patron saint of the
Imperial Guard and his image is often displayed on regimental banners.
The winged medal of the Order of Ollanius Pius, bearing the golden face
of an angelic youth, laurel leaves arrayed across his noble brow,
represents one of the very highest honors a mortal man could earn in the
service of the Imperium. |
The
Steel Aquila
A golden half-circle bearing a simple steel Imperial Eagle is one of the
most prestigious medals awarded to combat personnel. Often referred to
as the "lunatic’s eagle", the Steel Aquila is awarded to soldiers who,
in the face of great personal danger, have triumphed over the enemy and
returned in a condition fit for further active duty. This award is never
issued without good cause, and only the most spectacularly violent and
impressive feats of personal valor will earn it. |
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| The Iron Aquila
A simple
iron Imperial Eagle is one of the most prized medals awarded to combat
personnel. Often referred to as the "boring hero's award," the
Iron Aquila is awarded to warriors who, in the face of the enemy, have
triumphed and returned in a condition fit for further active duty by
acts of valor that do not warrant the Steel Aquila. This award is
never issued without good cause, and only the impressive feats of
personal valor will earn it. |
Honorifica Mundanus
The highest
award given to support personnel (such as tech adepts or members of the
Collegia Psykologica), the Honorifica Mundanus denotes an individual who
has distinguished himself above and beyond the call of duty and who
represents the finest ideals humanity can aspire to.
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The Imperial Laureate
An award
born of the Age of Apostasy, this Laureate indicates a warrior who has
effectively "won his laurels." Acts of valor leading to great victory
are recognized with the Imperial Laureate. Only warriors who have won a
laurel may bear the unit/regiment colors.
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Administratum Medal
The Imperial Administratum awards this
medal to units and soldiers who have fought bravely in the defense of
personnel and property belonging to this esteemed and highly necessary,
but vulnerable organization.
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Awards for Achievement
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Knight's Cross
(Knight of Medusa shown)
A medal and honorific title awarded to officers of the
rank of Colonel and above who led their regiments in 30 or more
consecutive days of active combat.
Colonels are awarded the Knight's Cross, Brigadiers
are awarded the Knight Companion's Cross, Major Generals are awarded the
Knight Commander's Cross, Lieutenant Generals are awarded the Knight
Grand Commander's Cross, Generals are awarded the Knight Master's Cross,
Field Marshals or Warmasters are awarded the Knight Grand Master's
Cross. Each award carries an equivalent knighthood. |
The Merit of Terra
The Merit of Terra is awarded to soldiers who have voluntarily postponed
their own demobilization. A bittersweet award, the Merit of Terra
signifies that the bearer will be required to serve much longer than
expected. However, it is a well-known sign of steadfast loyalty toward
the Golden Throne. All Imperial military personnel respect those bearing
the Merit, and it is reported that even the Adeptus Astartes acknowledge
the diligence and self-sacrifice that the award represents. |
The
Valoris Imperator
While this huge, solid gold medal in the form of an Aquilla is meant to
be awarded to veterans who have served for 20 years or more, in
recognition of long and steadfast service, it is usually only awarded
postmortem to long standing veterans who have died in particularly
unpleasant and Heroic circumstances. There are however some rare
circumstances where the medal is awarded to veterans who have served for
20 years or more, when such individuals perform unimaginable feats of
survival from certain death situations where the individual later
returns to active service.
On the back of the Aquilla there is an inscription in Imperial high
Gothic that reads: "Imperator Gratia!" ("The Emperor
Thanks You"). |
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| The Medallion Crimson
Those men
who survive grievous, life-threatening injury without losing faith or
honor and return to their units are often awarded the Medallion Crimson.
Bearers of the Medallion Crimson are rightly feared as mighty warriors. |
The Order of the Storm
A campaign badge awarded to soldiers who have been wounded in battle and
have returned to their units. The Order of the Storm depicts a pair of
crossed lightning bolts over an Imperial Eagle. |
The Ribbon Intrinsic
Taking the form canvass insignia with a tripartite ribbon
hanging beneath, the Ribbon Intrinsic is awarded to units rather than
individuals. It is given only to squads that have proven to be the
linchpin for a victorious battlefront, where it the line fast and turned
a defeat into a victory by determination alone. |
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| The Golden Skull
This medal is
awarded posthumously to those who fall in actions in which their units
have suffered at least 66% casualties. It is considered in every way
superior to the Triple Skull, which is issued to those who survive such
engagements |
The
Triple Skull
This medal is awarded to the survivors of actions in which their units
have suffered at least 66% casualties. It is considered in every way
inferior to the Golden Skull, which is issued posthumously to those who
fall in such engagements, although doubtless the recipients view it a
little more favorably. |
The Order of the Eagle's Claw
Awarded to soldiers who have made landfall in the most perilous of
landing zones and triumphed. Only those who have proven victorious
against overwhelming odds in a fashion that has been witnessed by their
superiors or Imperial Navy observers can earn this award. Bearers of the
Order of the Eagle’s Claw will receive increased respect from Imperial
Navy personnel, regardless of the soldier’s service arm. It is rare for
soldiers outside of Drop Troop regiments to receive this award, but it
has occasionally been issued to Imperial units that have participated in
mass orbital deployments (under fire).
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Campaign Awards
Campaign Awards are medals for participation in a specific campaign. They are
awarded to all ranks, though officers receive a gold version. They are the most
basic award a Guardsman could be awarded in any given campaign and have little
intrinsic value except to those soldiers newly transferred to the regiment.
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Medusa Star
(Evacuation of Medusa V) |
Cadian Star
(13th Black Crusade) |
Liberation of Tarsus |
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Defense of Unida
(Battle of Pripetsk Marshes) |
Armageddon Cross
(3rd War for Armageddon) |
Piscina Defense Medal
(Defense of Piscina IV) |
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Related Pages
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Ranks
Ratings
Imperial Medals
Insignia
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