Air Force Commendation Medal

Air Force Commendation Medal
Name	Air Force Commendation Medal
Caption	Ribbon of the Air Force Commendation Medal
Awarded by	United States Department of the Air Force
Type	Medal
Eligibility	Military personnel
For	Meritorious service or achievement
Status	Currently awarded
First award	1958
Higher	Bronze Star Medal
Same	Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Coast Guard Commendation Medal
Lower	Joint Service Achievement Medal
Caption2	Obverse of the medal

Contents

History
Criteria
Appearance and design
Order of wear
Notable recipients
See also

Air Force Commendation Medal. The Air Force Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. Established during the Cold War, it recognizes achievements that are above the standard expected but do not merit the award of the Bronze Star Medal. The medal is often awarded for service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and other major commands.

History

The medal was established by order of the United States Secretary of the Air Force on March 28, 1958, initially as a ribbon-only award. It was created to provide the United States Air Force with a service-specific commendation award equivalent to those long-standing in the United States Navy and United States Army. The first medal devices were issued in 1960, and the award was made retroactive to 1956 for qualifying service during the early years of the Vietnam War. Its creation filled a gap in the United States military awards and decorations system between the Air Force Achievement Medal and higher valor awards.

Criteria

The medal is awarded to any member of the United States Armed Forces serving in any capacity with the United States Air Force or United States Space Force who distinguishes themselves by meritorious achievement or service. This typically involves sustained performance in duties of responsibility, such as service on the Joint Chiefs of Staff or within a Numbered Air Force. It can also be awarded for singular acts of merit, such as contributions during North Atlantic Treaty Organization exercises or humanitarian missions like Operation Unified Response. Recommendations are processed through the chain of command to the Major Command level for approval.

Appearance and design

The medal was designed by the Institute of Heraldry and features a bronze hexagon, a shape unique among United States military awards and decorations. The obverse depicts the Great Seal of the United States surmounted by an eagle, borrowed from the Air Force Cross (United States), all within a laurel wreath. The reverse is plain for engraving the recipient's name. The ribbon is predominantly myrtle green with three white stripes edged in blue, colors representing the United States Air Force. A bronze "V" device is authorized for wear to denote acts of valor performed in direct contact with an enemy, distinct from combat seen in the Korean War or Gulf War.

Order of wear

In the United States Air Force order of precedence, the Air Force Commendation Medal is worn after the Bronze Star Medal and before the Joint Service Achievement Medal. It is considered equivalent to, and worn alongside, the Army Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Coast Guard Commendation Medal. When multiple awards are received, subsequent awards are denoted by oak leaf clusters, following the conventions of the Department of Defense. Its placement is formally outlined in Air Force Instruction 36-2903.

Notable recipients

Many distinguished personnel have received the award, including former Secretary of Veterans Affairs James B. Peake and astronaut Michael J. Bloomfield. Renowned test pilot Chuck Yeager, famed for breaking the sound barrier, was also a recipient. It has been awarded to members of the United States Air Force Thunderbirds and personnel involved in critical operations like the Raid on Son Tay and the Battle of Mogadishu (1993). Senior leaders like General John P. Jumper, a former Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, have also been honored with the medal.