Interesting Comments About The Air Medal
The Air Medal was created during World War II to recognize heroism and merit of a lesser degree than that required for a Distinguished Flying Cross.
The distinguished Flying Cross was the only decoration reserved exclusively for those involved in aerial operations when the United States entered World War II, but that prestigious award created by congress in 1926 could only be awarded for "heroism or extraordinary achievement."
By early 1942, as the future importance of the Army Air Forces became increasingly clear, the Army's leadership wanted a "Medal" for pilots and aircrews - one that had less stringent qualifications than the Distinguished Flying Cross and which could be more liberally awarded.
Secretary of War, Henry L. Stimpson, sent a Draft Executive Order to President Roosevelt on March 9th, 1942 enabling the President to create an "Air Medal." Stimpson explained that the Distinguished Flying Cross' requirement for extraordinary achievement meant it could not be used to recognize the unusual flight duties "now being performed by the Air Force Combat Command and the Air Force Ferrying Command." Roosevelt agreed and signed the Executive Order and so created the Air Medal on May 11th, 1942.
The Air Medal may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces "for heroic or meritiorious achievement while participating in aerial flight." Although this means the medal has less stringent requirements than the Distinguished Flying Cross, no Air Medal may be awarded unless the gallantry or merit involves "superior airmanship ... accomplished with distinction beyond that normally expected."
