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Image title
One of several Air Force awards established by Congress on July 6, 1960, takes the place of the Soldier's Medal for Air Force personnel. It is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly nation who, while serving in any capacity with the United States Air Force after the date of the award's authorization, shall have distinguished himself or herself by a heroic act, usually at the voluntary risk of his or her life but not involving actual combat. Illustration by Virginia Reyes of the Air Force News Agency. This image is 4x6 inches @200 ppi.
The Airman's Medal is unique in that its shape does not follow the octagonal shape of its counterparts
the Soldier's Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Medal and the Coast Guard Medal. It had been established practice heretofore to design military decorations with a distinctive shape
so that they would not be confused at a distance with service or campaign medals
which are always circular in shape. The reason for this is because the design was originally approved for use as The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal.
