In a recent discussion of “Why doesn’t Chewbacca get a medal too?” my husband suggested that maybe Wookiees don’t like medals. I maintained that Chewbacca wouldn’t mind wearing a medal because he already wears a bandolier and is thus used to sporting a little bling. Now I’m having second thoughts, because the medal might smack against the bandolier, irritating the Wookiee and maybe even damaging his ammo.
I hear some people discuss politics at dinner.
Entirely Adequate 
I’ve read a lot of Star Wars books. I don’t recall coming across anything to answer the question for sure, but here’s what I think knowing Chewie as I do. I’m sure the medal was offered and Chewie declined. He owes a Life Debt to Han for rescuing him from slavery to the Empire. Anything he did to help the Rebellion was primarily out of a sense of duty, to protect Han.
Of course there are those who believe Chewie was deep undercover for the Rebellion. While carrying out his Life Debt to Han, he may have been recruiting for the Rebellion and/or getting contracts for Han that would help the Rebellion. If that’s the case, then once again he was only doing his job and would probably not be eligible for what I presume is a civilian medal. He seems to be giving orders to everyone in the audience. When he growls they face the Princess. Then he growls when the ceremony is over and everyone claps. That tells me he’s part of the award ceremony.
Then again, the standard responses are:
–Carrie Fisher wasn’t tall enough and they didn’t want to have the noble Wookiee bow.
–Wookiees simply don’t do the medal thing. A job well done is reward enough.
Whatever the answer, this is excellent table talk!
Best Answer I’ve Heard:
“Giving a medal to Chewie is like giving a golf trophy to the caddy. He’s the help, not the hero.”
Chewie was robbed. If I had a Wookiee figurine, I’d make a little medal for it. And then continue the ongoing household discussion of whether there should be a black Batman. (Answer=YES)
Next you’ll be telling me that we need a black President. Ridiculous.
hmmmm, perhaps a more practical thought ?
medals make noise when they ‘clink’ against bandoliers.
Wookies like stealth when they walk up behind Empire Stormtroopers and rip their arms off… ‘course that makes noise too, but a softer, more ‘natural’ one, than metal on metal.
Think about it…it’s hard enough to sneak around when you’re a 8’3 wall of shag carpet, without having a medal go ‘clank’ right before you’re gonna do your abs extension exercises…
then again, I’m sure Wookies have some use for shiny metal trinkets… like fashioning them into a comb for personal grooming.