Medal of Courage

The Medal of Courage was a military decoration in the Golden Empire. It was the fourth highest award for combat valor and the fifth overall, ranking below the Star of Valor and above the Medal of Fortitude.

The Medal of Courage was awarded to "a servicebeing who performs an action of heroism, in the face of the enemy, above and beyond the call of duty, not meeting the criteria of the Star of Valor". It was the lowest combat decoration which specifically required the recipient to be engaged in battle with the enemy.

The medal featured a bronze-and-blue ribbon, with a bronze sword on a blue plate suspended. The decision to award the Medal of Courage was made at the Cohort level for the Royal Army and the ship level for the Royal Navy. When awarded to a a member of the Royal Starfighter Corps, the award had to be approved by an officer of OF-6 rank; if no RSC officer of that rank was attached, the commanding officer of the entire detachment could submit the recommendation up the chain of command until it reached one. Alternatively, a Navy captain could approve the Medal of Courage for anyone attached to his ship, of any service.

Behind the scenes
The design of the Medal of Courage was inspired in part by the French.