Airman's Medal

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Airman's Medal
Airman's Medal.jpg
TypePersonal military decoration
Awarded fora heroic act, usually at the voluntary risk of his or her life but not involving actual combat
Presented byUnited States Department of the Air Force[1]
EligibilityMembers of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly nation
StatusCurrently awarded
Established6 July 1960
Retroactive after 10 August 1956
First awarded21 July 1960
Airman's Medal ribbon.svg
Service ribbon
Precedence
Next (higher)Distinguished Flying Cross
EquivalentArmy: Soldier's Medal
Navy and Marine Corps: Navy and Marine Corps Medal
Coast Guard: Coast Guard Medal
Next (lower)Bronze Star Medal

The Airman’s Medal (AmnM) is a military award and decoration of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force to distinguish themselves by heroism involving voluntary risk of their life not involving actual combat with an armed enemy of the United States. The medal was established on 6 July 1960 and is awarded to those service members or those of a friendly nation who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force.[2][3] The performance must have involved personal hazard or danger.

The Airman’s Medal was authorized on 10 August 1956 to replace the U.S. Army's Soldier's Medal which had also been awarded to qualifying Air Force personnel since 26 September 1947.[4] According to Air Force Instruction 36-2803, The Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Personnel Council approves or disapproves recommendations for Airman's Medals requiring Secretary of the Air Force final approval and determines upon approval, entitlement to 10 percent increase in retirement pay for the Airman's Medal when awarded to enlisted members for extraordinary heroism.

The Airman's Medal is equivalent to the Army's Soldier's Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, and the Coast Guard Medal. Additional awards of the Airman's Medal are denoted by oak leaf clusters.

The first recipient of the Airman's Medal was Captain John Burger, U.S. Air Force, who was awarded the medal at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, on 21 July 1960, for heroism performed on 9 September 1959.

Notable recipients[]

See also: Category:Recipients of the Airman's Medal

References[]

  1. ^ "Production publication" (PDF). static.e-publishing.af.mil. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-01-27. Retrieved 2018-01-10.
  2. ^ Air Force Personnel Center. Airman's Medal. [1] Archived 2017-06-01 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "Institute of Heraldry Airman's Medal". Archived from the original on 2016-12-15. Retrieved 2017-05-07.
  4. ^ Smithsonian, Air and Space Museum. Airman's Medal.Retrieved May 6, 2017
  5. ^ "Paul K. Carlton, Jr". veterantributes.org. Retrieved December 24, 2020.
  6. ^ "Kinzinger considers challenging Halvorson in 11th CD". Illinois Review. 2009-01-16. Archived from the original on 2009-12-12. Retrieved 2015-06-03.
  7. ^ Corona, Marcella. "Slain Nevada teacher gets military honors". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  8. ^ Young, Robin (January 23, 2020). "'The Last Full Measure' Tells Story Of Hero In Vietnam War". WBUR. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  9. ^ Magidson, Joey (January 22, 2020). "The Last Full Measure Is A Restrained Crusade For Justice". Hollywood News. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  10. ^ "Obama lauds 'train heroes' at White House". Yahoo! News. Washington, DC. 17 September 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
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