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DESCRIPTION:
A bronze compass rose 1-11/16
inches circumscribing diameter and charged with an eagle volant carrying two
lightning flashes in its talons.
A fleur-de-lis at
the top point holds the suspension ring.
The points of the
compass rose on the reverse are modeled with the central portion plain for
engraving the name of the recipient.
RIBBON:
The ribbon is 1-3/8 inches wide and consists of the
following stripes: 1/8 inch ultramarine blue 67118; 1/4 inch golden orange 67109; center
5/8 inch ultramarine blue; 1/4 inch golden orange; and 1/8 inch ultramarine blue.
CRITERIA:
The Air Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving
in any capacity in or with the armed forces of the United States, shall have distinguished
himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Awards may be
made to recognize single acts of merit or heroism or for meritorious service. Award of the
Air Medal is primarily intended to recognize those personnel who are on current crew
member or non-crew member flying status which requires them to participate in aerial
flight on a regular and frequent basis in the performance of their primary duties.
However, it may also be awarded to certain other individuals whose combat duties require
regular and frequent flying in other than a passenger status or individuals who perform a
particularly noteworthy act while performing the function of a crew member but who are not
on flying status. These individuals must make a discernible contribution to the
operational land combat mission or to the mission of the aircraft in flight. Examples of
personnel whose combat duties require them to fly include those in the attack elements of
units involved in air-land assaults against an armed enemy and those directly involved in
airborne command and control of combat operations. Involvement in such activities,
normally at the brigade/group level and below, serves only to establish eligibility for
award of the Air Medal; the degree of heroism, meritorious achievement or exemplary
service determines who should receive the award. Awards will not be made to individuals
who use air transportation solely for the purpose of moving from point to point in a
combat zone.
COMPONENTS:
The following are authorized components of the Air Medal
and the applicable specifications for each:
a. Decoration (regular size): MIL-D-3943/23. NSN for decoration set is
8455-00-269-5747.
For replacement medal NSN 8455-00-246-3837.
b. Decoration (miniature size): MIL-D-3943/23.
NSN 8455-00-996-5002.
c. Ribbon: MIL-R-11589/7. NSN 8455-00-252-9963.
d. Lapel Button: MIL-L-11484/17. NSN
8455-00-257-4308.
BACKGROUND:
a. In a letter from the Secretary of War to the Director,
Bureau of Budget, dated 9 March 1942, the Secretary submitted a proposed executive order
establishing the Air Medal for award to any person who, while serving in any capacity of
the Army of the United States, distinguishes himself by meritorious achievement while
participating in an aerial flight The Secretary of War, in his request, stated "The
Distinguished Flying Cross is available only for heroism or extraordinary achievement
while participating in aerial flight…It is desired not to cheapen the Distinguished
Flying Cross by awarding it for achievement not bordering on the heroic. It is, however,
important to reward personnel for meritorious service."
b. The
Air Medal was authorized by President Roosevelt by Executive Order 9158, dated 11 May
1942, and established the award for "any person who, while serving in any capacity in
the Army, Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard of the United States subsequent to September
8, 1939, distinguishes, or has distinguished, himself by meritorious achievement while
participating in an aerial flight." Authorization was announced in War Department
Bulletin No. 25, dated 25 May 1942. Executive Order 9242-A, dated 11 September 1942
amended the previous Executive Order to read "in any capacity in or with the
Army".
c. In
July 1942, the Office of The Quartermaster General (OQMG), forwarded a
letter to twenty-two artists offering an opportunity to submit designs for
consideration. The design selected was submitted by Walker Hancock and
approved by the Secretary of War on 31 December 1942. The designer, Walker
Hancock, had been inducted into the Army and assigned to Camp Livingston,
Louisiana. He was ordered to temporary duty effective 16 November 1942 to G1
War Department to work on the medal. The Chief of Staff approved the ribbon
design prepared by OQMG on 26 August 1942.
d. Oak leaf clusters were
initially used to denote subsequent awards of the Air Medal. The number of
additional awards were so great that the oak leaf clusters did not fit on
the ribbon. As a result, the policy was changed in September 1968 to require
the use of numbers to indicate subsequent awards of the Air Medal.
e. The Air Medal may be
awarded for service during peacetime; however, approval authority for
peacetime awards is not delegated to field commanders.
f. Order of precedence
and wear of decorations is contained in Army Regulation (AR) 670-1. Policy
for awards, approving authority, supply, and issue of decorations is
contained in AR 600-8-22.
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