Definition

Noun: A United States Air Force decoration awarded for meritorious achievement or service while participating in aerial flight. It is a military honor distinct from those awarded for heroism in combat.

Usage

The term "air medal" is used to refer to the specific military award itself. It is typically capitalized when referring to the official award name: the Air Medal.

Examples

• The pilot received the Air Medal for completing 50 combat missions.
• Her citation for the air medal highlighted her exceptional skill during a severe storm.
• Displayed on his uniform were several ribbons, including the Air Medal.

Advanced Usage

• The award is often followed by a numeral (e.g., Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters) to denote subsequent awards.
• It can be used in a possessive form to indicate the recipient (e.g., an Air Medal recipient, a holder of the Air Medal).

Variants and Related Words

• Air Medal with 'V' device: A specific variant of the Air Medal awarded for acts of heroism or valor in aerial flight (where "V" stands for valor).

Synonyms

• Military decoration
• Service medal
• Aerial achievement medal

Different Meanings

This term has a single, specific meaning as a proper noun referring to the U.S. military award. It is not used with other general meanings.

Noun

1. a United States Air Force decoration for meritorious achievement while participating in an aerial flight