THE AIR MEDAL

This award, established on May 11, 1942, by Executive Order 9158 and amended by Executive Order 9242-A, on September 11, 1942, is given to any person who, while serving with the armed forces of the United States in any capacity subsequent to September 8, 1939, shall have distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. It is given for combat or non-combat action, and conferred in recognition of single acts of heroism or merit for operational activities against an armed enemy, or for meritorious services, or for sustained distinction in performances of duties involving regular and frequent participation in aerial flight.

This decoration is the same for all branches of the Armed Forces of the United States. The medal was designed by Walker K. Hancock, after an open competition, which also carried a cash award of $1,500 for the winning design.

The medal is a bronze compass rose of sixteen points that is surmounted by a fleur-de-lis design in the top point. On the obverse, in the center, is an American eagle, swooping downward (attacking) and clutching a lightning bolt in each talon. The reverse has a raised disk on the compass rose, left blank for the recipients name and rank.

The ribbon has a broad stripe of ultramarine blue in the center flanked on either side by a wide stripe of golden orange, and with a narrow stripe of ultramarine blue at the edge. The original colors of the Army Air Corps.

Reference: American Medals and Decorations by Evans E. Kerrigan, Medallic Publishing Co.