Airman's Medal

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.

Notable recipients

 * Paul K. Carlton, Jr.
 * Duane D. Hackney
 * Robert W. Parker
 * William H. Pitsenbarger