The Air Force Medal was (until 1993) a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Royal Air Force (United Kingdom), and formerly also to personnel of the air forces of other Commonwealth countries, below the rank of Warrant Officer, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy". Since World War II army and naval aviation personnel below the rank of Warrant Officer had also become eligible.
The medal was established on June 3, 1918. It was equivalent to the Air Force Cross which was awarded to commissioned officers and Warrant Officers. Recipients of the Air Force Medal were entitled to use the post-nominal letters "AFM". In 1993 the AFM was discontinued, and since then the Air Force Cross can be awarded to Royal Air Force personnel of all ranks.
The ribbon was originally white with red narrow horizontal stripes, but changed in 1919 to the current white with red narrow diagonal stripes.
AirForce awards were first created with the founding of the United States AirForce in 1947.
At that time, AirForce members were eligible to receive most U.S. Army decorations and AirForce veterans of World War II were entitled to continue displaying World War II campaign medals.
AirForce members are also eligible to receive approved foreign awards and international decorations.
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