VMF-251 Decorations for 4/18

[Saxman]

Firstly, after a vote among his comrades, for surviving last week's disaster in Frame 1 (the only of the squad to do so) despite being heavily engaged, MEF4UD has been awarded the Commendation Medal.



This marks MEF4UD's second Commendation Medal, as such, he shall now display the Commendation Medal Ribbon with one Gold Award Star.



Additionally, in gratitude for volunteering tonight with VMF-251, the squadron has awarded the Commendation Medal to 1Duke1, in recognition of his service.

[Saxman]

Additionally, as commanding officer of VMF-251, I have seen fit to present on behalf of the Buccaneers the Navy Unit Commendation to:



347th Fighter Group and



Army of Muppets

for their distinguished actions in the raid on the ammunition manufacturing facility at target sector 9.10.2. The facility was heavily destroyed, with in-flight estimates of roughly 75% destruction. Of the 20 TBMs in the raid, only five appear to have been downed by the direct actions of enemy aircraft, a testament to the effectiveness of Allied fighter cover of the Muppets and VMF-251, which claimed 26 of the enemy destroyed, 15 of which are credited to the Muppets who downed twice their number of the enemy.

As this is a US Navy award, you may feel free to modify it to the appropriate equivalent award used by your squadron.

 

[68falcon]

347th has nothing but praise and thanks for the fighter escort of the Army Of Muppets and VMF 251 

[Husky01]

<S> 347th you guys did a great job of hitting the target!



VMF-251 Was a blast escorting with you all. Great job.

,Ethan

[68Hall]

For CRIPES SAKE! Atleast give the Devil Dog a DFC!
What the Hell is my Corps coming too?!

[Saxman]

Actually, for immersion's sake, I think it'd be an interesting to see the Frame CiC's issue decorations at their discretion beyond what individual squads do internally. Whenever I'm put in the hot seat I may look into that....

[Arlo]

If the criteria for the real life awards matched the accomplishments in the game then the number of high level virtual equivalents of medals of valor would render them meaningless (insomuch as "valor" in this game is really more a measure of individual skill at it mixed with helping fellow players immerse and providing a challenge to opponents*). Recognition of any kind by my peers is deeply appreciated ... moreso when it takes a great deal of effort to eventually get the higher awards (many of which may ever be out of reach). I would (and do) find peer appreciation through recommendation of virtual commendation from AH peers in events a rather nice immersive touch (that's a high-falutin' mouthfull). But I, too, would like to see it somewhat mimic the real life process of putting someone in for a commendation, running it up the chain of command, having the higher ups either approve or modify (could be downgraded ... or, in some rare instances upgraded) and present the player a form of game recognition, thusly. Perhaps the lower-level awards could more-or-less get rubber stamped based on a set of circumstances or criteria met while the higher ones are reviewed by experienced players who have a bit of historical knowledge of such awards under their belts as well as a practical viewpoint on what really constitutes something within the parameters of the game that is truly rare and outstanding.

Regarding the commendation I've been awarded by Saxman/VMF-251 in the current event they've graciously allowed me and mine to join them in, I'm quite honored, quite impressed and quite relieved to see it presented in what I consider a practical way. I may still feel unworthy but if it was something along the lines of the DFC or Navy Cross I'd be embarrassed, given my humble contribution. As far as MEF4UD goes, I could easily see his possibly getting a bump up (at least a notch) by a player or group of players who are presently portraying higher ranking members of command in this event ... if put up for review. I can also see why a commander of the squadron a player belongs to may not initially put them up for the higher award and leave it up to peers outside the squadron to determine if a higher award is merited (simply for the sake of avoiding possible accusation of squad self-promotion).

<Salute> all around on this. I've traditionally felt event players maintain a greater feel of immersion without taking it overboard and I find that this incarnation reinforces those feelings.

* I'm ever struggling with the first and ever mindful of the other two.

[Saxman]

Currently, VMF-251 adjusts some of the award criteria to levels more appropriate for Aces High.

As such, we do not currently include the Medal of Honor at all among our decorations. The requirements are so far beyond what's possible in this game there is no way to adequately represent it.

We have awarded one Navy Cross, for actions by one of our pilots (in this case, while steering a carrier during its defense) that were of a mission-decisive nature (basically, his handling of the task group saved the boat). Risk of life and limb is just not a practical criteria, as in the historical Navy Cross, so we've adjusted this to distinguish individual actions that were singularly critical to the success of the squadron's assignment. In the case noted above, much of the CAP was down either to enemy fire, or damage preventing re-arm, so the squad member essentially saved the boat--and our mission objectives.

Another incident involved two pilots in D3As valiantly holding off a pair of enemy fighters, despite knowing they would likely be shot down, to allow a third, damaged squad-mate to return to the carrier. While historically this might have resulted in a Bronze or even Silver Star, instead we chose to award the DFC as this would be more appropriate for the game.

I agree, it can be tricky issuing decorations, especially the higher ones. I've made every attempt to ensure that decorations issued by the squadron are appropriate to the circumstances, and after the squadron voted have occasionally up or down-graded an award on my authority as C/O.

[Saxman]

The pilots of VMF-251 have seen fit to issue one other decoration for 4/18

[Nefarious]

<S> 347th you guys did a great job of hitting the target!

(Image removed from quote.)

Ethan

Look, I can see my virtual corpse in those trees North of the factory.