Hope my instructions can help you (Please forgive my poor english, non-english speaker)
No need to use the str file
The first thing to make mod in this game is have a extractor(official one or unofficial one, the unofficial one is already have on this website)
Then extract the “MissionData1.cat”, in the extractor, you'll see the MedalsUSAF.ini (Also USN, USMC, IDF, RAF)
if you want to make your own fictional medal, just imitate what the .ini looks like, then add the award
for example
[Medal001]
Name=MEDAL_USN_MOH_NAME
MissionScore=3500
MissionKills=5
MissionRating=3
AwardImage=MedHonor_Award.bmp
Citation=USN_MedalOfHonor.txt
just copy it and change the title to [Medal00x(or 0xx)], then edit rest of it[Medal001]
[Medal021]
Name=Medal example
MissionScore=1145
MissionKills=1
MissionRating=1
AwardImage=
Citation=
the AwardImage= and Citation= you need put those related thing in menu file, the .BMP and the .txt
the text is quite complex, I suggest you can try to find some mod that include some other medals that the game don't have(or extract the menu.cat, you'll find the original game files)
after edit put image and text into menu file, put award.ini into flight file
If you want to make a fictional country and its award, you should extract the nation.ini in the "Flightdata.Cat"
Just like you edit the award, imitate the nation structure to add a new country
For example
[Nation251]
Name=SRT
DisplayName=SRT Special Academy
Alignment=FRIENDLY
PilotNameList=NamesUSAF.lst
RankList=RanksUSAF.lst
CallsignList=CallsignsUS.lst
Formation.Fighter=USFighter
Formation.Attack=USFighter
Formation.Bomber=USBomber
Formation.Transport=USBomber
Formation.Tank=USTank
Formation.MobileAD=USAD
PilotTrainingStandard=EXCELLENT
GenderRatio=0
DebriefSuccessMusic=DebriefSuccess.wav
DebriefFailMusic=DebriefFail.wav
DebriefKilledMusic=DebriefKilled.wav
SpeechFile=USAFSpeech.cat
SpeechTextFile=USAFSpeechText.cat
Medals=MedalsUSAF.ini
UseFAC=TRUE
just change the Medals=MedalsUSAF.ini, replace the "MedalsUSAF.ini" to the "xx.ini" that you edit
Please make sure the filenames match the names you edited in the .ini file.
the nation.ini is also put into flight file