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Air Medal (US Armed Forces)

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  • Harold Kenneth Bradrick (1918 - 1944)
    S/Sgt. Harold K. Bradrick US ARMY AIR FORCES WORLD WAR II S/Sgt. Harold K. Bradrick Lost Hometown: Kansas Squadron: Service #20724187 Awards: Pilot 1st/Lt. Irvin C. Salisbury Lost Target: CASUALT...
  • Jerry Newton Phillips (1930 - 1970)
    Capt. Jerry Newton Philips Military Information: CAPT, US AIR FORCE Jerry Newton Phillips Vietnam War Gold Star Veteran from Florida Jerry Newton Phillips Vietnam War Vietnam WarFlorida
  • Gerald Everett Olson (1937 - 1973)
    MAJ.Gerald Everett Olson Major Gerald Everett Olson was a member of the 4th Air Commando Squadron, Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam. At 0300 hours on 13 March 1966, an AC47D gunship call sign "S...
  • Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. (1915 - 1944)
    Joseph Patrick Kennedy, Jr. President of Cadets Club President of Holy Name Society on the base Jacksonville Naval Station, North Florida Post humous Awards: Naval Cross Father established the Jo...

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.

Examples of personnel whose combat duties require them to fly include those in the attack elements of units involved in air-land assaults against an armed enemy and those directly involved in airborne command and control of combat operations. Examples would be transport performing supporting "Dustoff" Medevac or resupply operations, or aircraft involved in reconnaissance over hostile airspace. Awards will not be made to individuals who use air transportation solely for the purpose of moving from point to point in a combat zone.

Ribbon Devices

The Air Force uses the aircraft sortie designation as a tool, but uses Oak Leaf Clusters rather than Strike / Flight Numerals to indicate additional awards. A member's individual flight management records will list the sorties that are eligible for the award. These sorties are designated Combat, Combat Support, or Operational (Active Air Defense or Hostile Reconnaissance). Only the first sortie of the day counts. Armed aircraft crews require ten sorties for each award, while all others require twenty sorties.

The United States Secretary of the Air Force approved the "V" Device for Air Medals awarded for heroism in combat effective October 21, 2004. This applies to all Air Force members (Active Duty, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard), retirees, and veterans. The "V" device is not authorized for wear on the medal for an earlier date.

See more at Wikipedia.