Air Medal Medal and Ribbon
Air Medal Ribbon
Air Medal Medal
History - Established 1942
Established on May 11, 1942, the Air Medal honors individuals for heroic acts or otherwise exceptional achievement while carrying out flight or aerial combat operations. It may be awarded either to US or foreign military or civilian personnel and is only awarded during wartime operations. Eligible operations are determined at the discretion of MAJCOMs.
Details
The medal is bronze and in the shape of a 16-pointed compass rose. It features a swooping eagle with lightning bolts in its grasp. The ribbon is dark blue with a vertical golden yellow stripe toward each edge; it is joined to the medal by a fleur-de-lis.
Subsequent awards may be indicated by oak leaf clusters, the “V” device, or gold or silver stars except for Coast Guard awardees, for whom no other device is authorized.
Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Silver Oak Leaf Cluster
Silver Star
Gold Star
Bronze V
Gold V
Bronze Numerals
Precedence
Next Higher: Meritorious Service
Air Medal Ribbon
Air Medal Medal