Awards of
World War IIThe Air Medal was created to reward individuals who distinguished themselves while serving in the aviation units of the U.S. Army, as well as in the performance of military duty jointly with aviation units.
Materials
Bronze
Artist
Walker Hancock
Awarded to
Soldiers and officers of all branches of the U.S. military.
Reasons for awarding
For performing a courageous act in flight or while performing ground duty.
The medal was Established in 1942 to reward soldiers and officers of all branches of the armed forces who performed courageous acts in flight. It could also be awarded for courageous acts performed on the ground while serving in aviation units.
The Air Medal is a circle superimposed on a sixteen-pointed star symbolizing a compass. In the center of the circle is a diving eagle carrying two lightning bolts in its talons. The medal's number and the recipient's name are engraved on the reverse. The medal is attached to a pentagonal ribbon bar through a fleur-de-lis and an eyelet, covered with a blue moiré ribbon with two yellow stripes closer to the edges.
When awarded for actions performed in combat, the award ribbon is supplemented with a bronze letter "V" for Valor. When the Air Medal is awarded repeatedly, oak leaf clusters are attached to the ribbon.