why did chewbacca not recieve a medal at the end of star wars when every one else did?

Answer 1

I can't remember when he addressed this, but I remember hearing George Lucas explain the "no medal for Chewie" as a reflection of Wookiee culture. Supposedly Chewbacca declined the medal because it has no value or meaning in Wookiee culture. The honor and prestige in their culture is based on their actions and deeds, not symbolic trinkets.

Steve's explanation is off. Chewbacca's life-debt to Han Solo does not make him a slave or incapable of receiving credit for his participation.

According to the lore, Han Solo was once made and Imperial officer when he graduated from the academy, not long after entering service he encountered a group of Imperials abusing a Wookiee slave, his career in the Imperial Navy ended the day he stopped the abusers and freed Chewbacca. Han became a gambler, smuggler, and thief to carve out a living.

George Lucas describes the character of Han Solo being like the experienced gunslinger from an old Western. Someone that's seen a lot, working his way from place to place, and earning a living through whatever jobs he can get, money he can win, or steal when he need to. Han Solo was supposed to be a kind of dark character, someone that has seen the underbelly of galactic society and knows you have to do anything you can to survive (lie, cheat, steal, and kill) or die painfully.

Lucas wanted Chewbacca to be Han's conscience (kinda like a tough, arm-ripping Jimminy Cricket =P) the one person that kept him from falling completely to the dark side and becoming a cut-throat mercenary. According to the lore, it was Chewie that kept Han from taking jobs that might have a high body count or illegal jobs. Han took the Spice smuggling job for Jabba the Hutt against Chewie's advice.

Han's selfish mercenary nature was depicted when he planned to take his reward and flee Yavin before the Imperials arrived. The Alliance did not have the money to pay the reward Han demanded as payment for rescuing Princess Leia. The boxes he's loading into the Falcon aren't filled with credits, they were valuable parts and supplies (things the rebels needed) which Han was going to sell off. It was Chewie that talked Han into not jumping into hyperspace and turn back to help Luke and the other pilots in their battle against the Death Star.

Answer 2

Denied!!!! Seriously, if you read the original novelization by George Lucas, which was actually ghost-written by Alan Dean Foster, Chewbacca got his medal later, but Princess Leia didn't put it on him because Chewie was too tall and she couldn't reach. Seriously, read the book!

Answer 3

[The most likely reason would have to stem from his Life Debt to Han. While he was on the Millenium Falcon when Han shot down the tie fighters behind Luke (which allowed Luke the shot that destroyed the Death Star), A) He didn't fire the shot, Han did and B) Because of his Life Debt, he is honor bound to guard, fight with/for, and _assist_ Han - by nature of his Life Debt, it would not be Chewie who should be rewarded, but Han - any accolades that Chewie would receive would be shifted to Han because he was fighting for/with Han.

Answer 4

I don't know why, maybe they thought wookiees don't need medals, i mean the only thing chewy wears is his bandoleer. But he did get the last line!

Answer 5

it was a mistake and he recived one from liea (carry fisher) at one of the mtv movie awards shows

Answer 6

wookie rights should have called on that one

Answer 7

It's a crime. Shame on Lucas.

Answer 8

prejudice against wookies!

Answer 9

steve has a really good explanation!

Answer 10

I have no idea, but I think it's kind of racist!