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Astra Militarum Honours

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Below is a list of notable medals awarded to members of the Imperial Guard:

Known Imperial awards

Administratum Medal

The Administratum Medal is given to Cadian soldiers who fought to defended the property or personnel of the Administratum.4

Crimson Skull

The Crimson Skull is given to soldiers who managed to successfully give medical aid in a combat situation. It is also common among members of the Officio Cadian Medicae personnel and especially veteran field medics.4

File:Honorifica-Imperialis.gif
The Honorifica Imperialis1

Honorifica Imperialis

Honorifica Imperialis is a term that refers to a number of gallantry medals. Each Segmentum has its own variant, such as the Obscuras Honorifica. The bearer of an Honorifica Imperialis is regarded as a genuine hero of the Imperium and will enjoy the highest regards from his comrades and superiors. Also, there are many campaign variants of this medal, so medals for ancient campaigns are highly prized by collectors.1

Order of the Scarlet Wing

A basic medal from the same group as the Order of the Eagle's Claw, the Scarlet Wing signifies that the bearer has been injured but survived a battle in which he has participated in some manner of airborne assault. Injuries in such actions are commonplace, however, and veterans refer to receiving this medal as "getting your wings".4

The Macharian Cross1

Macharian Cross

The Macharian Cross is awarded to Imperial Guard officers to reward successful and intelligent application of the Tactica Imperialis in battle. Those who bear it have a chance to be included into the general staff of future campaigns where their skills can be of use.1

The Medallion Crimson1

Medallion Crimson

The Medallion Crimson is a common battle honour amongst veterans of the Imperial Guard. It is given to those who did their duty despite being mortally wounded. As such many are awarded posthumously.1

Medusa Star

The Medusa Star is a medal that denotes the active military service during the fall of Medusa V. Being the most basic medal common soldiers could receive during the war, it is regarded as having little value.4

Merit of High Lords

The Merit of the High Lords is a rare honour given to Guard commanders. Those who receive it had their names 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. He can expect to be assigned by jealous superiors to the most horrific battlefronts in order to pass on his wisdom and courage first hand.4

Order of Ollanius Pius

Ollanius Pius was the lone Man who stood in front of Warmaster Horus, sacrificing his life for the Emperor. His saint-like image is usually on Imperial Guard banners, and this medal is the highest honour a mortal man can earn in the service of the Imperium.5

Ribbon Intrinsic

The Ribbon Intrinsic is an award given to units rather than individuals. It is given to squads that have proven to be the linchpin for a victorious battlefront, where they managed to turn a defeat into a victory through sheer determination. The Ribbon Intrinsic is said to forge a great bond between members of a platoon, though in practice, the Ribbon is usually awarded only to a handful of individuals, who are the survivors of gruesome battles they would rather forget. The medal itself is of low material value and takes the form of an etched brass strip with a tripartite ribbon hanging beneath.4

Skull of the Mechanicus

The iconic symbol of the Mechanicus can be given to those who have fought to defend of aid members of the cult. This medal is given somewhat whimsically as it is up to the Tech-Priest in question to give and has no uniform requirements.*7

Star of Terra

The Star of Terra is the highest military honour a soldier can achieve in his lifetime.2 Notable bearers of this award include Sergeant Lukas Bastonne of Cadia2 and Guardsman Sly Marbo of Catachan.3

Triple Skull

The Triple Skull medal is a medal bestowed upon those who were in a unit that suffered at least 66% Casualties and survived. It is seen as the inferior Medal to the Golden Skull, which is given posthumously to the fallen of such actions.4

Winged Skull

The Winged Skull is earned by those who have demonstrated inspirational leadership which led to victory. It is often displayed on the shoulder guards of armour. The medal itself of ancient origin and its design of a skull with an iron device has been adopted by the Space Marines as an insignia for a Sergeant.4

Known Cadian awards

Ward of Cadia

This is debatably the highest honour a Cadian can be presented with, given for extraordinary courage and determination in the face of extreme danger. Once given, the bearer is referred to as "Warden" or "Bearer of the Ward". A notable bearer is Warden-Colonel Parmenion Thade, given to him after he led a company of his men in the destruction of several Chaos Space Marines and a Chaos Titan at it's inception during the 13th Black Crusade.6

Eagle Ordinary

A medal given to Cadian soldiers and personnel from associated military organisations (including the Imperial Navy and the Officio Medicae) for acts of valour beyond what is required. However, this does not apply to acts that are considered "extraordinary", which leads many bearers to joke that they are the "boring heroes" within their regiment. These who do not own this medal still regard it as a symbol of courage.4

Knight of Medusa

Both a medal and honorific title given to Cadian Officers of the rank of a Colonel and above. It is given to those who have led their regiment in 30 or more days of consecutive combat.4

Merit of Terra

The Merit of Terra is awarded to Cadian soldiers who have voluntarily postponed their own demobilization, thus serving much longer than expected. It is seen as a sign of loyalty and self-sacrifice, which all Imperial military personnel respect, reportedly even Space Marines.4

Order of the Storm

The Order of the Storm is a campaign given to soldiers who have been wounded during the Medusa V campaign and managed to return to their units. Variants include the so called "double storm" and "triple storm", earned by those who have been wounded several times.4

Steel Aquila

Dubbed the 'lunatics eagle', the Steel Aquila is awarded only to Guardsmen of the Cadian 91st who were successful in the face of danger and managed to return fit for duty. It is usually only given in the most violent or impressive of cases. 4

Valoris Imperator

The Valoris Imperator is awarded to veterans who have served in the Cadian 91st for 20 years or more. While technically a recognition of long and steadfast service, it is usually only awarded posthumously to long standing veterans who have died in particularly unpleasant circumstances.4

Sources