Air Force Medal

The Air Force Medal was (until 1993) a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Royal Air Force (United Kingdom) and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy".

The medal was established on 3 June 1918. It was the other ranks' equivalent to the Air Force Cross, which was awarded to commissioned officers and Warrant Officers (although WOs could also be awarded the AFM), but ranked below it in order of precedence, between the Distinguished Flying Medal and the Queen's Gallantry Medal.

The AFM was awarded 259 times during WW2.

Recipients of the Air Force Medal are entitled to use the post-nominal letters "AFM". In 1993, the AFM was discontinued, and since then the Air Force Cross has been awarded to personnel of all ranks.

Description

 * An oval, silver medal, 1.375 inches wide and 1.625 inches long. The obverse shows a bareheaded effigy of the reigning sovereign.
 * The reverse shows Hermes (facing right) is shown, mounted on a hawk in flight and bestowing a wreath, all contained within a laurel wreath. The date 1918 appears behind Hermes on the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II medals.
 * A bomb is attached to the clasp and ribbon by two wings.
 * The ribbon is 1.25 inches wide, and consists of alternate red and white stripes (1/16" wide) leaning 45 degrees to the left. A red stripe is to appear in the bottom left and upper right corners when viewed on the wearer's chest. Until 1919, the stripes were horizontal.