Airmans Medal
Display Recognition

Site Index

      • Example Display Recognition
      • Display Types
      • Issue Requirements
      • Issue Regulations
      • Who May Apply
      • Administration Processing and Delivery
      • How To Apply For This Display Recognition and/or Medal
      • Mailing Address
      • Questions?
      • Click Here to EMAIL THIS PAGE to a friend
      • Air Forces Resource Guide
      • Other Display Recognitions
      • Example Display Recognition:
        Actual Size: 8 1/2 x 11



        Who May Apply

        • Veteran recipients
        • Active Duty recipients
        • Family Members of recipients
        • Estate Inheritors

        Display Types

        You have four display types to choose from:
        Black & White (No Color)
        Heavy Bond Enclosure

        Heavy Bond Enclosure
        Colors: Regal, Black, Navy
        Trimmed in Appearance Gold

        Ready for Mantle or Shelf Display

        Issue Requirements

        You must submit the following:

      • An unaltered photocopy of your DD-214, WD AGO, NAVPERS, NG displaying your Airman's Medal authorization. If your AM is not listed on your DD-214 you must provide a copy of your DD-214 and a copy of your authorization orders.
      • NOTICE

        This Display Recognition is available ONLY to authorized recipients who possess orders, or authorization form, or release documentation that confirms award eligibility. (See "Issue Requirements"). To obtain either a Display Medal or a Display Recognition for your authorized award you will be required to provide military-issued documentation authorizing your award. There are no exceptions.

        WARNING!
        You must NOT submit a military issued document or photocopy that:

        • has been altered in any way by you after
          the original's official issue
        • contains information or corrections or
          additions that you entered
        • lists awards or training you knowingly did not receive
        • contains highlighting, colorizing or other markings you entered

        Be advised that on request any knowingly fraudulent document sent by you will be released to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that may result in prosecution and/or fine/imprisonment.

        Email Questions, or Phone: 1-562-422-4100 (Pacific Time Zone)

        Personnel Branch
        Processing and Delivery

        Style Admin Shipping Total
        Full Color .PDF (Printable) $7.50 Emailed $7.50
        Published Document only (Full Color) $14.00 $10.50 USPS $24.50
        Published Document in Heavy Bond Enclosure (Full Color) $19.00 $10.50 USPS $29.50
        Full Color Printable Certificates
        on CD-Rom (minimum 20 Certificates)
        $7.50 $7.50 By Count

      • Total/Shipping fees, above, apply to 50 U.S. states
      • Contact The War Library for international shipping cost
      • How to Apply

        You may apply for your Display Recognition using a...

      • Check Debit card (* Shipped within 1 week)
      • Charge card (* Shipped within 1 week)
      • Personal, Business, Bank or Cashiers Check ( Shipped in 6 weeks)
      • Money Order (* Shipped in 6 weeks)
      • (* Upon reception of required documentation)

        Complete and MAIL this APPLICATION FORM.
        Don't forget to include an unaltered COPY of your DD-214, WD AGO 53-55 or other pre-arranged document(s).

        DISPLAY RECOGNITION and/or MEDAL APPLICATION FORM

        Mailing Address

        Records Chief (REC-AMW)
        The American War Library
        817 East Via Carmelitos Ste 319
        Long Beach CA 90805-7549

        Questions?

        Click here for answers to common questions

        Email: Airmans Medal Display Recognition Inquiry

        Telephone: 1-562-422-4100 (Pacific Time Zone)

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        Airman's Medal

        Establishing Authority


        Click for larger image

        The Airman's Medal derives from the Act of Congress that created the Soldier's Medal (Public Law of the 69th congress, approved July 2, 1926), which was amended by Public Law 86-593 (approved by the 86th Congress on July 6, 1960), amending Title 10 of the United States Code to provide the Air Force with authority to present a distinctive version of the Soldiers Medal to be known as the "Airman's Medal."

        Effective Dates

        The Airman's Medal has been in effect since July 6, 1960.

        Criteria

        The Airman's Medal may be awarded to service members who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force, distinguish themselves by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy.

        Order of Precedence

        The Airman's Medal is worn after the Distinguished Flying Cross and before the Bronze Star.

        Devices

        Additional awards of the Airman's Medal are denoted by oak leaf clusters.

        Designer/Sculptor

        The Airman's Medal was designed and sculpted by Thomas Hudson Jones of the Army's Institute of Heraldry.

        First Recipient

        The first recipient of the Airman's Medal was Captain John Burger, USAF, who was awarded his medal on July 21, 1960, for an act performed on September 9, 1959.

        Description and Symbolism

        Obverse

        In the center of a bronze disc one and three-eighths inches in diameter with an oxidized satin finish, the figure of Hermes is shown in profile resting on his left knee while releasing an eagle with displayed wings from his open hands. Directly in front of the figure of Hermes and following the curvature of the medal is the word AIRMAN'S in raised letters, and in the same position behind the figure, the word MEDAL.

        The Greek god Hermes was the son of Zeus and represents youth, vigor, and boldness. The eagle being released is the American bald eagle and refers to the United States; its release symbolizes the ideals and aspirations of American airmen.

        Reverse

        The reverse contains a stylize laurel wreath. Within the laurel wreath, and at the top of the medal in two lines, is the inscription, FOR VALOR in raised letters. The space below the wreath is used for engraving the recipient's name. The laurel represents achievement through heroic conduct.

        Ribbon

        In the center of the ribbon, seven gold and six dark blue stripes alternate. The ribbon is edged in light blue. The design of the ribbon is based on that of the Soldier's Medal, with the red and white stripes in the Soldier's Medal being replaced by the gold and blue stripes in the Airman's Medal (which are also configured in a broader array), and the edge stripes of the Airman's Medal are lightened to further distinguish the two ribbons.

        The basis for the Airman's Medal is the legislation authorizing the Soldier's Medal, July 2, 1926, as amended July 6, 1960. It was specifically authorized for the Air Force through enactment of Section 8750, title 10, United States Code.

        Awarded pursuant to Section 8750, title 10, United States Code to members of the Armed Forces of the United States or foreign military personnel who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Air Force, distinguish themselves by heroism involving voluntary risk of life under conditions other than those of actual conflict with an enemy.