Airman's Medal

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Airman's Medal

Awarded by United States Air Force
Type Medal
Awarded for "[Distinguishing oneself] by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy."
Status Currently awarded
Precedence
Next (higher) Distinguished Flying Cross
Same Army - Soldier's Medal
Navy - Navy and Marine Corps Medal
Coast Guard - Coast Guard Medal
Next (lower) Bronze Star

The Airman’s Medal is a military decoration of the United States Air Force and is awarded to those service members who distinguish themselves by heroic actions, usually at the voluntary risk of life, but not involving actual combat.

The Airman’s Medal was first created in 1960 and the first recipient of the decoration was Captain John Burger, USAF, who was retroactively awarded the Airman’s Medal for actions performed in 1959.

The U.S. Army equivalent of the Airman’s Medal is the Soldier's Medal. Between 1947 and 1959, U.S. Air Force members were eligible for the Soldier’s Medal since the separate Airman’s Medal had not yet been established. The Navy and Marine Corps Medal and the Coast Guard Medal are also considered to be the equivalent decorations for those services.

[edit] Notable Recipients