Why didn't Chewbacca get a medal at the end of Star Wars?

Where would they pin it?

Oh, wait. They weren’t pinned, they were placed around the neck.

Maybe in Wookie culture it is rude to put things around others’ necks?

I wondered that myself. Maybe it was discrimination. He certainly had more sense than Han and Luke did at times (sort of like Gromit to Wallace).

Why not ask Peter Mayhew, who played the part of Chewbacca? Here is his e-mail address. pwmayhew@aol.com

This post suggests that Carrie Fisher (who is quite petite at 5’1”) was not tall enough to put the medal around Chewbacca’s neck (Peter Mayhew clocks in at an impressive 7’ 1¾”). According to the source, they didn’t want to make Chewbacca kneel to receive his medal. My younger brother suggests that they were just racist against Wookiee’s. Those bastards.

Maybe @rangerr will be able to provide a definitive answer.

Maybe he came in fourth?

Wookies aren’t allowed to have medals, just like they’re not allowed to vote.

@iamthemob Prove it, or I’m flagging your answer, whether it is in the social section or not.

@Pied_Pfeffer—hold on – I just need to make an edit to the wikipedia page, and then I will provide you with a link showing proof.

Also…the Force said so.

Have no fear, I is here.

As far as I know, the real reason has never been said though, it has been asked many times.. It does make sense that the reason would be Carrie’s lack of height.

In a I believe Marvel Extended Universe comic, Han and Luke lift Leia on a table so she can present Chewie his medal at a reception after the ceremony. Which backs up the “Carrie is too short” theory.

The same Extended Universe series also noted that Wookiees aren’t believers in public award ceremonies, which is why he walked into the ceremony with Luke and Han, but didn’t get his medal until they were in private.
Either way, he got the last line in the movie. He appeared to have the position of an.. MC of sorts. Which I say trumps having a medal.

But my question is why did Han get a medal for only exploding one TIE, when Wedge stuck through the entire battle? And what about R2? He had a key part in their victory..

Ps. @Pied_Pfeffer peter@petermayhew.com would be the better bet for getting a message/question to him. Just sayin’.

@rangerr I have no idea which e-mail address will work better. I’d just be content to hear the answer from a reputable source.

@Pied_Pfeffer Considering Mayhew doesn’t even know the answer, he’s not going to be the source you’re looking for.

Simply would not have been visible under the fur.

He violated Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

oh, come on…His nickname is “Chewy”

I agree with @iamthemob. I don’t think Wookies have equal rights. It’s sad.

That is why he was growling loudly in protest at the end of the movie. Rewatch it and you’ll know exactly what I mean.

@weeveeship Totally! Chewy was like, where’s my medal? :D

Because wookies don’t need no steenkin medals! Besides, he has his man bag as compensation.

It would feel like a collar and could symbolize the struggle his people had in gaining independence for their oppressive slave masters.

Or just ran out of gold in this economy.

@rangerr seems to know the answer Hawkeye. All I can add is he is my favorite character. I would love to hug that big ball of fur.