Iron Skull

The Iron Skull is a military award that recognizes soldiers "captured in the line of duty during a time of war." The award, along with the Merit of Blood, is one of the more common military awards given by the Grand Alliance.

General Information
To be considered for the Iron Skull, a soldier must be nominated by their commanding officers. This nomination is then assessed by Alliance High Command, using the following criteria: Upon receiving an Iron Skull, soldiers treat the award as they would any other under military regulations. The Iron Skull, along with other awards, may be worn if specifically called for, such as during formal events or parades. Instructions are usually provided on whether awards may be worn in uniform, in civilian dress, or by veterans of the armed forces. However, awards are not allowed while in combat dress.
 * The nominee must have been captured by an enemy of the Grand Alliance while in the line of duty and during wartime.
 * The nominee must have acted in an honorable and dutiful way during their capture, meaning that they did not divulge any information to their captors.

History
The Iron Skull's history dates back to the First War between Stormwind and the Orcish Horde. After the great exodus to Lordaeron, many soldiers who were either missing or unfortunately left behind were captured by the Orcish Horde. These prisoners were used as forced labor, harvesting resources and constructing fortifications for the Horde's occupation army. When Stormwind was liberated at the end of the Second War, a medal was made to honor their survival and willpower while in enemy captivity. The first 'version' of the Iron Skull was named the Survivors of the Occupation medal, given to both military and civilian captives of Stormwind who survived in the occupied provinces.

With the formation of the Grand Alliance, Alliance High Command found that they needed a medal directed at all soldiers who survived capture while in service to the Grand Alliance Army. There was much debate, however, as to whether the medal should exist at all. Some in the army staff argued that awarding capture may give the wrong message, as some prisoners may view their capture as embarrassing or shameful. Others countered that prisoners of war should be recognized for their willingness to survive and devotion to duty even while held by the enemy. In the end, the latter side won out, resulting in the creation of the Iron Skull. The medal was named as such because prisoners of war are 'hard-headed' and 'stubborn,' unwilling to surrender in their duty or give up any military intelligence they may know.

As such, recipients are given the nickname of 'Iron Skull' or 'iron-headed,' referring to their stubborn attitudes and willingness to survive.