Kalidor Crescent

The Kalidor Crescent was a medallion named after the kalidor, an avian predator species from the Core World planet Davnar II. It was first created as the highest honor for starfighter and gunboat pilots, but evolved over time into an interservice award that was so prestigious it could only be bestowed by the Alliance Chief of State or the Supreme Commander of the Alliance Armed Forces. As it evolved into an interservice decoration, it was then awarded for "Conspicuous and intrepid gallantry at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty." Recipients had to be nominated by either their superior Alliance officers or a civilian government representative, such as a senator-in-exile.

Because of the very high standards that were required for the Kalidor Crescent, specifically in extreme heroism and gallantry in the face of an overwhelming force, Kalidor Crescents were usually awarded posthumously. The Kalidor Crescent exuded a similar honor to the Medal of Bravery, a unique decoration that was outside of the standard grading of the Alliance Military.

The Kalidor Crescent was a large, heavy medallion that was suspended from a broad ribbon upon which a large gold kalidor. The medallion was an inverted gold-plated alloy and intricately engraved crescent, with a smooth gemstone that was suspended at the bottom between the points of the crescent. The branch of military was denoted by the gemstone's color: green for the Alliance Navy, and blue for the Alliance Army. The ribbon that was attached to the medallion was dark royal blue, with a red stripe along both edges. The ribbon was immediately above the medallion, and was a single piece that measured roughly ten centimeters long. It was split in two, with each piece ending in half of a large alloy clasp.

Pinned to the ribbon directly on top of the medallion was a detailed likeness of the kalidor in flight, with its wings outstretched and its head looking to the right, and was made from the same gold-plated alloy as the medallion. The phrase, "For Conspicuous Gallantry," was engraved in Aurebesh behind the medallion.

Although most Kalidor Crescents were awarded posthumously, a living individual who was already awarded a Kalidor Crescent and was active within the Alliance Military could receive the award multiple times for further instances of heroism and gallantry. Individuals were given a small embellishment for each additional award.

• Bronze Cluster— the first embellishment, it was a small cluster of bronzestars that were attached to the ribbon between the medallion and the kalidor.
• Silver Talons— the second embellishment, it was a set of polished silver talons that were added to the kalidor.
• Silver Scimitar— the third embellishment, it was a small polished silver sword that was pinned to the ribbon above the kalidor.
• Golden Wings— the fourth embellishment, it was a set of solid gold wings placed on the kalidor.
• Diamond Eyes— the final embellishment, it was a pair of small diamonds that were pinned to the ribbon on either side of the kalidor's head.

The Kalidor Crescent was awarded to the Sullustan ace pilot Nien Nunb following the Battle of Endor, which took place in 4 ABY, owing to his bravery during the battle.

The Kalidor Crescent was first mentioned in the new Star Wars canon in the 2016 Fantasy Flight Games sourcebook Lead by Example. It first appeared in Star Wars: X-Wing, a LucasArts computer game that was released in 1993.

• Lead by Example
• Star Wars Character Encyclopedia: Updated and Expanded