[REL] U.S. Medals Fix

[CapnScurvy]

This mod will correct the way awards are presented to the player by first changing the stock "order" of the medals which will improve the relationship between what is earned and what is issued. It was found that several inaccuracies that have to do with this "order" prevented the correct medal from being issued, especially to the player/Captain. Secondly the medals were changed to reflect the authentic type and criteria for which they are given. The Congressional Medal of Honor, and Distinguished Service Medal were removed from the game. The Navy Cross and Silver Star were moved up in rank to fill the void. Both the enlisted men and Captain will be given the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal as their initial 1st tier award. The Navy Commendation Medal will be the 2nd tier award followed by the Bronze Star Medal, and so on. It is believed that by changing the specific awards and the various "order" of the awards, a more accurate representation of American awards issued will occur.






The following image shows the Crew Management screen with all awards displayed.






To install the mod make sure your current running campaign will have you in port, waiting on another patrol to start. This will ensure a trouble free installation. Of course you can begin a new campaign with the mod installed. Just do not expect to install the mod during an ongoing campaign patrol without the risk of a CTD.

There are various editions of the U.S. Medals Fix that are compatible to other major mods. Install the compatible mod first then install the Medals Fix mod that is made specifically for it. The Medals Fix mod is JSGME ready. Click the below latest editions dated Feb. 2009 for the specific mod you want.




U.S. Medals Fix II_Stock

This is for a stock SH4 game with the U-Boat Missions addon patched to the 1.5 version, or the Gold Edition (which are the same). Sorry, there is not a stock version patched only to 1.4



U.S. Medals Fix II_TMO

This is for a SH4 1.5 game having the TMO 1.6.2 version installed with it's latest patch 1.6.3.
The order of install should be:

TriggerMaru_Overhaul_162_Full
TriggerMaru_Overhaul_Patch163
U.S. Medals Fix II_TMO



U.S. Medals Fix II_RFBv1.52

This edition is compatible with Real Fleet Boat 1.52, it's current Patch_18Jan09, and it's RadarHotfix. Load these first, then the Medals Fix. Although RFB 1.52 has my first Medals Fix included with it, it does not address the medal switch and order as this v.II, nor does it have the changes to the type of medal awarded.




Discussion (revised to v.II Feb 13, 2009)

After lengthy testing I have determined that several key files needed to be corrected to allow for a complete and accurate medals system. This was done with the latest version II. The game does not allow for us to manipulate the "calculations" for awards, but we can change the various parts to match an accurate issue. This was done with the "order" of several files to allow for a correct issue of an award.

From a cosmetic point of view, several medals were removed from the stock game, with others added to fill the void.There are six awards and medals available from highest ranking to lowest. RFB and TMO both use the same awards. Top ranked was the Congressional Medal of Honor, next the Navy Cross, Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, and although it is not an achievement award, nor does it fit in the ranking system, the Purple Heart. My contention for removal of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal was the actual criteria which reads "...of exceptionally mertorious service to the government in a duty of great responsibility". In my opinion, this criteria does not hold true of a sub Captain, and especially not of an enlisted crewman. What I have found is the medal is usually bestowed to senior "Navy Flag and Marine Corps General Officers" not rank and file sub Captains and definitely not to an enlisted man, unless he happened to be on Nimitz's "personal" staff of high enlisted rank. The removal of the Congressional Medal of Honor was done because of my personal belief that the award would not be issued for mearly the calculation of shipping sunk, no matter how high the total.

So, my plan has been to remove the CMOH and DSM from the awards; move up the remaining awards in rank and add the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal.

Another improvement to this latest version is the removal of the original medals from the Captain's Award Box. I have simply eliminated them altogether. No medals will be seen within the box but, by mouse clicking within the box you will be taken to the Captain's written citation and a close up of the awarded medals as in the previous stock method.



Again, the 1st tier award will be the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, first received in 1941 as a ribbon. The second tier award will be the Navy Commendation Medal first received in 1943, as a ribbon. I realise I've taken a bit of license in putting these medals into the game, but the use of the Distinguished Service Medal, and Congressional Medal of Honor made much less sense.

This modification does more than simply change the type of medals issued. It has corrected the stock game and previous modded medal fix's in rearranging the "order" of medals issued.


I wish to acknowledge the work done by Metalledges, Midnite1977, and Ducimus for there initial efforts in working towards an authentic awards system for Silent Hunter 4. Without their efforts my contribution may not have been possible. Thanks to all for the great work done.