Airman's Medal
Encyclopedia
The Airman’s Medal is a military decoration
of the United States Air Force
and is awarded to those service members or those of a friendly nation who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Air Force, distinguish themselves by heroic actions, usually at the voluntary risk of life, but not involving actual combat. The saving of a life or the success of the voluntary heroic act is not essential.
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.
According to Air Force Instruction 36-2803, The Secretary of the Air Force, Personnel Council (AFPC) approves or disapproves recommendations for Airman's Medals (AmnM) requiring SAF approval and determines upon approval, entitlement to 10 percent increase in retirement pay for the Airman's Medal (AmnM) when awarded to enlisted members for extraordinary heroism.
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.
Awards and decorations of the United States military
Awards and decorations of the United States Military are military decorations which recognize service and personal accomplishments while a member of the United States armed forces...
of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
and is awarded to those service members or those of a friendly nation who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Air Force, distinguish themselves by heroic actions, usually at the voluntary risk of life, but not involving actual combat. The saving of a life or the success of the voluntary heroic act is not essential.
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.
According to Air Force Instruction 36-2803, The Secretary of the Air Force, Personnel Council (AFPC) approves or disapproves recommendations for Airman's Medals (AmnM) requiring SAF approval and determines upon approval, entitlement to 10 percent increase in retirement pay for the Airman's Medal (AmnM) when awarded to enlisted members for extraordinary heroism.
The U.S. Army equivalent of the Airman’s Medal is the Soldier's Medal
Soldier's Medal
The Soldier's Medal is a military award of the United States Army. It was introduced as Section 11 of the Air Corps Act, passed by the Congress of the United States on July 2, 1926...
. 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
Navy and Marine Corps Medal
The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the second highest non-combatant medal awarded by the United States Department of the Navy to members of the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps...
and the Coast Guard Medal
Coast Guard Medal
The Coast Guard Medal is a decoration of the United States military that is awarded to any service member who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Coast Guard, distinguishes themselves by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy...
are also considered to be the equivalent decorations for those services.
Notable recipients
- Paul K. Carlton, Jr.Paul K. Carlton, Jr.Lieutenant General Paul Kendall Carlton Jr. was the 17th Surgeon General of the United States Air Force, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Bolling Air Force Base, D.C....
- Duane D. HackneyDuane D. HackneyDuane D. Hackney , of Flint, Michigan, a United States Air Force Pararescueman, was the most decorated airman in USAF history and the recipient of 28 decorations for valor in combat , and winner of the Cheney Award for 1967 Duane D. Hackney (June 5, 1947 – September 3, 1993), of Flint, Michigan, a...
- William H. PitsenbargerWilliam H. PitsenbargerWilliam Hart Pitsenbarger was a United States Air Force Pararescueman who gave his life aiding and defending a unit of soldiers pinned down by an enemy assault in Vietnam. He was initially posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross, which was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor...