Prisoner of war

A Prisoner of War (POW, PoW, or PW) is a combatant who is imprisoned by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict.

Even in the 26th Century, the UNSC continues to take prisoners of war in their conflict against the Covenant, often using them as manual labor to construct fortifications for defending against Covenant attack and digging graves for Covenant and UNSC dead. For much of the war, the Covenant refused to take prisoners, executing any human personnel who were captured or who surrendered After the discovery that only human "Reclaimers" could activate the Halo Array, the Covenant changed that policy. UNSC treatment of prisoners has been "humane," while Covenant PoW's have been brutally tortured and interrogated. After the ascension of the Jiralhanae to the positions formerly held by the Sangheili, UNSC PoW's were routinely captured and butchered for food for the ravenous, carnivorous Jiralhanae

The Prisoner of War Medallion is awarded to Soldiers, Sailors and Marines who have been recovered from, escaped, or released from capture by the enemy. This is the only medal that the Master Chief has not received,although the incident with Master Chief's capture by a Brute Chieftan seen in the "Believe" Halo 3 advertisements could make him eligible for it.