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Air Medal
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This decoration, established by Executive Order 9158, 11 May
1942, as amended by Executive Order 9242, 11 September 1942 is awarded to
U.S. and civilian personnel for single acts of heroism or meritorious
achievments while participating in aerial flight and foreign military
personnel in actual combat in support of operations. Required achievement is
less than that required for the Distingushed Flying Cross, but must be
accomplished with distinction above and beyond that expected of professional
airmen. It is not awarded for peace time sustained operational activities and
flights. Approval or disapproval authority is delegated to MAJCOM/CC/CV for
military and Secretary of the Air Force for civilians and foreign military
personnel. MAJCOMs will identify the missions and positions that qualify for
this award. HQ USAF/XO must certify MAJCOM criteria. This decoration is the same for all branches of the Armed
Forces of the United States. The medal (pictured below) was designed by
Walker K. Hancock, after an open competition, which also carried a cash award
of $1,500 for the winning design. The medal is a bronze compass rose of sixteen points that is
surrounded by a fleur-de-lis design in the top point. On the obverse, in the
center, is an American Eagle, swooping downward (attacking) and clutching a
lightning bolt in each talon. The reverse has a raised disk on the compass
rose, left blank for the recipient's name and rank. The
ribbon has a broad stripe of ultramarine blue in the center flanked on either
side by a wide stripe of golden orange, and with a narrow stripe of
ultramarine blue at the edge. The original colors of the Army Air Corps.
Authroized Device: Oak leaf Cluster
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