Medal, Air

AIR MEDAL -  The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The medal was created in 1942 and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.

The Air Medal may be awarded to recognize either single acts of merit or gallantry in combat or for meritorious service in a combat zone.  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.