- Yes
- No
Currently in game, there are several navy medals. Some of them only requires vessels, so you have to play naval battle to award these.
However in real life, medals that do not specifically designate a particular branch of service—such as the Medal of Honor or the Navy Cross in the United States—can be awarded to any member of the Navy who meets the criteria.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the criteria for some of the United States’ highest military decorations are as follows.
- Medal of Honor:
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration that may be awarded by the United States government. It is presented by the President of the United States, in the name of Congress, and is conferred only upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty:
- While engaged in action against an enemy of the United States;
- While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
- While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
- Navy Cross:
The Navy Cross is the second highest military decoration that may be awarded to a member of the United States Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, (and to members of the Coast Guard when operating under the authority of the Department of the Navy). It is awarded for extraordinary heroism:
- While engaged in action against an enemy of the United States;
- While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
- While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
Actions that merit the Navy Cross must be of such a high degree that they are above those required for all other U.S. combat decorations but do not merit award of the Medal of Honor. The Navy Cross is equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross (Army) and the Air Force Cross (Air Force).
Certainly, there is no regulation preventing naval pilots from receiving the Navy Medal of Honor or the Navy Cross.
And actually there are many U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviators who awarded Medal of Honor:
- Edward Henry O’Hare (Feb 1942)
- William Edward Hall (May 1942)
- Bruce Avery Van Voorhis (July 1943)
- Kenneth Ambrose Walsh (Aug 1943)
- Gregory Boyington (Jan 1944)
- Nathan Green Gordon (Feb 1944)
- David McCampbell (June 1944)
And goes on.
Not to mention, they’ve awarded Navy Medal of Honor. Of course the U.S. Air Force did not existed back than and the USAF version of the Medal of Honor authorized in 1956. But during the Vietnam War, naval aviators like Michael J. Estocin, Clyde Everett Lassen and James Bond Stockdale still awarded Navy Medal of Honor for their honorable action.
Additionally, there are actually medals in the game that can be achieved with naval aircraft.
For the reasons stated above, I believe other naval medals should also be awarded through playing with naval aircraft.