Awards and decorations of the United States Department of the Air Force are
military decorations
Military awards and decorations are distinctions given as a mark of honor for military heroism
A hero (feminine: heroine) is a real person or a main fictional character who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through feats of ...
which are issued by the
Department of the Air Force
The United States Department of the Air Force (DAF) is one of the three military departments within the Department of Defense of the United States of America. The Department of the Air Force was formed on September 18, 1947, per the National Sec ...
to airmen of the
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Signal ...
and guardians of the
United States Space Force
The United States Space Force (USSF) is the space service branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and the world's only independent space force. Along with its sister branch, the U.S. Air Force, the Space ...
and members of other military branches serving under Air Force and Space Force commands.
The Department of the Air Force first began issuing awards and decorations in 1947. At that time, airmen were eligible to receive most
U.S. Army decorations. In 1962, following the
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis, also known as the October Crisis (of 1962) ( es, Crisis de Octubre) in Cuba, the Caribbean Crisis () in Russia, or the Missile Scare, was a 35-day (16 October – 20 November 1962) confrontation between the United S ...
, the Department of the Air Force began a concentrated effort to create its own distinctive awards, separate from the Army.
Airmen and guardians are also eligible to receive
approved foreign awards and
approved international decorations.
Department of the Air Force awards
Air Force and Space Force decorations
Air Force and Space Force service medals
Air Force and Space Force Good Conduct Medals
Air Force and Space Force unit awards
Air Force and Space Force service ribbons
Air Force and Space Force award badges
Department of the Air Force civilian awards
*
Air Force Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service: similar to the military
Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is a high award of a nation.
Examples include:
*Distinguished Service Medal (Australia) (established 1991), awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force for distinguished leadership in action
* Distinguishe ...
. A gold-colored medal bearing the Air Force coat of arms with a wreath of laurel leaves. Ribbon is dark-blue silk with three dotted golden-orange lines in the center.
* Air Force Valor Award: similar to the
Airman's Medal
The Airman's Medal (AmnM) is a military award and decoration of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force for personnel who distinguish themselves by heroism involving voluntary risk of their life not involving actual combat with ...
. Gold-colored medal design bearing the Air Force thunderbolt on an equilateral triangle surmounted by the Air Force eagle perched on a scroll inscribed "Valor" within an olive wreath. Ribbon is light blue with four yellow stripes, two dark blue stripes, and one red stripe in the center.
* Air Force Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award: similar to the military
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit (LOM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces that is given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. The decoration is issued to members of the eight ...
. Bronze medal bearing the Air Force coat of arms with a wreath of laurel leaves. Ribbon is white trimmed in maroon with three maroon stripes in the center.
*
Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award: similar to the military
Meritorious Service Medal A Meritorious Service Medal is an award presented to denote acts of meritorious service, and sometimes gallantry, that are worthy of recognition. Notable medals with similar names include:
*Meritorious Civilian Service Award
*Meritorious Service Med ...
. Sterling silver medal and lapel emblem bearing the Air Force coat of arms with a wreath of laurel leaves. Lapel emblem with ruby indicates receipt of more than one Meritorious Civilian Service Award.
* Air Force Command Award for Valor: similar to the military
Meritorious Service Medal A Meritorious Service Medal is an award presented to denote acts of meritorious service, and sometimes gallantry, that are worthy of recognition. Notable medals with similar names include:
*Meritorious Civilian Service Award
*Meritorious Service Med ...
when awarded for heroism. Sterling silver medal of the same design as the ''Air Force Valor Award''. Ribbon is light-blue silk with four yellow stripes and one red stripe in the center.
* Air Force Exemplary Civilian Service Award: For clearly outstanding service supporting a command mission for at least one year or a single act that significantly contributed to command mission. Similar to the military
Commendation Medal
The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. Each branch of the United States Armed Forces issues its own version of the Commendation Medal, with a fifth ...
.
*
Air Force Civilian Achievement Award: For clearly outstanding service for a single, specific act or accomplishment in support of the unit’s mission or goals. Similar to the military
Achievement Medal
The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize outstanding achievement or meritorious service of military personnel who were not eligible to recei ...
.
Public service awards
*
Secretary of the Air Force Distinguished Public Service Award
The Department of the Air Force Commander's Public Service Award is the highest level award granted by the Secretary of the Air Force to a non-employee civilian. It consists of a cased medal, ribbon, mess dress or miniature medal, lapel button, and ...
: For distinguished public service to the Air Force which translates into substantial contributions to the accomplishment of the Air Force mission. This is the highest public service award bestowed to private citizens by the Secretary of the Air Force.
* Chief of Staff of the Air Force Award for Exceptional Public Service: For Sustained unselfish dedication, contributions, and exceptional support to the Air Force.
* Air Force Exceptional Service Award: For exceptional service to the United States Air Force or for an act of heroism involving voluntary risk of life.
* Air Force Scroll of Appreciation: For meritorious achievement or service that are completely voluntary and performed as a public service or patriotic in nature.
*
Air Force Commander's Award for Public Service
The Department of the Air Force Commander's Public Service Award is a lower level award granted by the Secretary of the Air Force to a non-employee civilian. It consists of a cased medal, ribbon, and lapel button, as well as a citation certificate. ...
: For service or achievements which contribute significantly to the accomplishment of the mission of an Air Force activity, command, or staff agency.
Special awards and trophies
In 2018, as part of the Air Force's initiative to reduced directive publications, the eight-page AFI 36-2805 was released, superseding 30 previous AFIs. Guidance for special awards was moved to a website at https://access.afpc.af.mil/.
*
Cheney Award
The Cheney Award is an aviation award presented by the United States Air Force in memory of 1st Lt. William H. Cheney, who was killed in an air collision over Foggia, Italy on January 20, 1918. It was established in 1927, and is awarded to an airm ...
(an act of valor, extreme fortitude or self-sacrifice in a humanitarian interest, performed in connection with aircraft)
*
Mackay Trophy
The Mackay Trophy is awarded yearly by the United States Air Force for the "most meritorious flight of the year" by an Air Force person, persons, or organization. The trophy is housed in the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museu ...
(most meritorious flight of the year)
*
12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year (sponsored by Air Force Association)
*
Lance P. Sijan USAF Leadership Award
* USAF First Sergeant of the Year Award
* General and Mrs.
Jerome F. O'Malley
General (United States), General Jerome Francis O'Malley (February 25, 1932 – April 20, 1985) was a United States Air Force four-star general who served as Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force (VCSAF) from 1982 to 1983; Commander in Chief, Pacif ...
Award (wing commander and spouse team)
* Joan Orr Air Force Spouse of the Year Award
* Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy (safety)
* General
Thomas D. White
General Thomas Dresser White (August 6, 1901 – December 22, 1965) was the fourth Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force.
Life and military career
White was born in Walker, Minnesota, on August 6, 1901. His father was John Chanler Whi ...
USAF Space Trophy
* General
Wilbur L. Creech
General Wilbur Lyman "Bill" Creech (March 30, 1927 – August 26, 2003) was a four-star general in the United States Air Force (USAF). He commanded Tactical Air Command (TAC), with headquarters at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, from M ...
Maintenance Excellence Award
* Dr.
James G. Roche
James Gerard Roche (born December 16, 1939) is an American politician. He served as the 20th Secretary of the Air Force, serving from January 20, 2001 to January 20, 2005. Prior to serving as secretary, Roche served in the United States Navy for ...
Sustainment Excellence Award
* General
Lew Allen, Jr.
Lew Allen Jr. (September 30, 1925 – January 4, 2010) was a United States Air Force four-star general who served as the tenth Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. As chief of staff, Allen served as the senior uniformed Air Force officer ...
Trophy (officer and senior NCO in aircraft maintenance or munitions directly involved with setting up aircraft sorties with nuclear weapons)
* Lieutenant General
Leo Marquez Award
* Brigadier General Sarah P. Wells Award (Air Force Medical Service)
* Aviator Valor Award (sponsored by American Legion Aviators' Post No. 743)
* General
John P. Jumper
John Phillip Jumper (born February 4, 1945) is a retired United States Air Force general, who served as 17th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force from September 6, 2001 to September 2, 2005. He retired from the Air Force on November ...
Awards for Excellence in Warfighting Integration
* Information Dominance/Cyberspace Awards:
** Lieutenant General
Harold W. Grant Award (small communications unit)
** Major General
Harold M. McClelland Award (large communications unit)
** General
Edwin W. Rawlings
General Edwin William Rawlings, USAF (Ret), (September 11, 1904 – December 8, 1997) was a leading figure in the administrative development of the United States Air Force (USAF).
Early life
A Milroy, Minnesota native, Rawlings graduated w ...
Award (team of the year)
See also
*
Awards and decorations of the United States military
The United States Armed Forces awards and decorations are primarily the medals, service ribbons, and specific badges which recognize military service and personal accomplishments while a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. Such awards are a means t ...
Notes
External links
AFI36-2903Dress and Personal Appearance of Air Force Personnel
AFI36-2805 Special Awards and Trophies
AFI36-2818 The USAF Maintenance Awards Program
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United States Air Force