| Criteria: The Air Medal is
awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the
armed forces of the United States, shall have distinguished himself by
meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Awards may
be made to recognize single acts of merit or heroism or for meritorious
service. Award of the Air Medal is primarily intended to recognize those
personnel who are on current crew member or non-crew member flying status
which requires them to participate in aerial flight on a regular and
frequent basis in the performance of their primary duties. However, it may
also be awarded to certain other individuals whose combat duties require
regular and frequent flying in other than a passenger status or
individuals who perform a particularly noteworthy act while performing the
function of a crew member but who are not on flying status. These
individuals must make a discernible contribution to the operational land
combat mission or to the mission of the aircraft in flight. Examples of
personnel whose combat duties require them to fly include those in the
attack elements of units involved in air-land assaults against an armed
enemy and those directly involved in airborne command and control of
combat operations. Involvement in such activities, normally at the
brigade/group level and below, serves only to establish eligibility for
award of the Air Medal; the degree of heroism, meritorious achievement or
exemplary service determines who should receive the award.
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