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AFH 1 · Chapter 8 · Section 8.22

Decorations

Part of Followership · 3 sections · ~1510 words · WAPS PFE study material

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Decorations — Definition and Recommendation Process

What a Decoration Is

A decoration is the formal recognition for personal excellence that requires:

  • Individual nomination
  • USAF or Department of Defense approval

What Decorations Recognize

Decorations are awarded in recognition for:

  • Acts of valor
  • Heroism
  • Courage
  • Exceptional service
  • Meritorious service
  • Outstanding achievement

…that clearly place members above their peers and of such importance that the person cannot receive proper recognition in any other way.

Determining Factors

When being considered for a decoration, the determining factors involve:

  • The member's level of responsibility
  • Achievements
  • Accomplishments
  • Manner of performance
  • The impact of the accomplishment

One Decoration per Achievement

One Award Rule
Each decoration has specific performance requirements for award, and an individual may receive only one decoration for any act, achievement, or period of service.

Preparing a Decoration Recommendation

Recommendation Authority
Although responsibility for submitting decoration recommendations primarily falls on the immediate supervisor, any person other than the individual being recommended, having firsthand knowledge of the act, achievement, or service, may recommend or contribute to a decoration recommendation.

Contributors provide evidence or statements through the supervisor and chain of command of the member being recommended.

Sensitive Information Restriction

Do Not Include CUI
Do not include any of the following in regular decoration recommendations:
  • Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)
  • Classified information
  • Highly sensitive information
  • Special category information requiring special handling procedures

Memorandum of Justification

A memorandum or letter of justification may accompany the decoration recommendation to include concrete examples describing the action that was performed.

When Memo Is Required
A memorandum or letter must be provided when a decoration recommendation is being submitted for:
  • Foreign military
  • Separated or retired veterans
  • Members of another branch of service

Top Decorations — Medal of Honor, AF Cross, DSM, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, DFC, Airmans Medal

Medal of Honor

MoH — Highest Decoration
The Medal of Honor is the highest decoration for heroism in military action that can be awarded to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Medal of Honor Criteria

Awarded for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty while:

  • Engaged in action against an enemy of the United States
  • Engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force
  • Serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party

Presentation and Benefits

The Medal of Honor is generally presented by the U.S. President to the recipient or the recipient's primary next of kin.

MoH Benefits
Recipients, by law, also receive special benefits under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, additional privileges, and entitlements.
Salute Custom
Members of the uniformed services are encouraged to render salutes to recipients of the Medal of Honor as a matter of respect and courtesy, whether or not they are in uniform, and regardless of rank or status.

First USAF MoH Recipient

First USAF MoH
Per the U.S. Medal of Honor Historical Society, the first USAF recipient was presented by President Lyndon B. Johnson on January 19, 1967, to Major Bernard F. Fisher for action in South Vietnam.

Three Versions

There are three versions of the Medal of Honor, one for each of the military departments:

  • Department of the Army
  • Department of the Navy
  • Department of the Air Force

…with slight variations in design.

Cross-Service Eligibility
Members of the Marine Corps and Coast Guard are eligible to receive the Department of the Navy version. Members of the Space Force are eligible to receive the Department of the Air Force version.

Air Force Cross

AFC — Second Highest
The Air Force Cross is the second highest decoration that can be awarded to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Air Force Cross Criteria

Awarded for extraordinary heroism while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

AFC Standard
Actions that merit award of the Air Force Cross must be of such a high degree that they are above those required for all other combat decorations, but do not merit award of the Medal of Honor.

Distinguished Service Medal

DSM Standard
Awarded for exceptionally meritorious service to the nation in a duty of great responsibility.
Wartime Definition
In wartime, a duty of great responsibility is one that involves the exercise of authority or judgment in matters that decide the successful operation of a major command, activity, installation, or major program.

The discharge of such duty must involve the acceptance and fulfillment of the obligation so as to greatly benefit the interests of the United States.

Silver Star

Silver Star — Third Highest
The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration.

Silver Star Criteria

Awarded for gallantry in action while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States or in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force.

Silver Star Standard
Actions that merit the Silver Star must be of such a high degree that they are above those required for all other combat decorations, but do not merit award of the Medal of Honor or an Air Force Cross.

Legion of Merit

LoM Criteria
Awarded to U.S. Armed Forces personnel for exceptionally meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding duties.
LoM Standard
Duties must have been performed in a clearly exceptional manner.
Foreign Military Eligibility
Foreign military personnel may be awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the United States.

Distinguished Flying Cross

DFC Criteria
Awarded for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight for actions that are entirely distinctive, involving operations that are not routine.

Airman''s Medal

Airman''s Medal Criteria
Awarded for heroism involving voluntary risk of life under conditions other than those of conflict with an armed enemy of the United States.

Top Decorations — Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Air Medal, AAM, MSM, AFCM, AFAM

Bronze Star Medal

BSM Criteria
Awarded for heroism, valor, or meritorious achievement or service (not involving participation in aerial flight) while engaged in:
  • An action against an enemy of the United States
  • Military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force
  • Serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the U.S. is not a belligerent party
BSM Valor Standard
The Bronze Star Medal is awarded for valor in combat to a lesser degree than required for award of the Silver Star or the Legion of Merit.

Purple Heart

PH — Earned, Not Awarded
The Purple Heart is a decoration that a member earns entitlement to rather than being awarded through recommendation.

Purple Heart Criteria

Awarded for wounds received or death after being wounded in any of the following:

  • Action against an enemy of the United States
  • Action with an opposing force of a foreign country in which the U.S. Armed Forces are or have been engaged
  • While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the U.S. is not a belligerent party
  • As a result of an act of any such enemy or opposing armed force
  • As a result of an act of any hostile foreign force

Foreign Terrorist Organization Attacks

PH and Terrorism
Since 11 September 2001, the Purple Heart may be awarded to a service member on active duty who is attacked by a foreign terrorist organization that targeted a member of the U.S. Armed Forces due to such member's status as a member of the Armed Forces — unless the wound is the result of willful misconduct of the member.

Foreign Terrorist Organization Definition

An attack by an individual or entity shall be considered to be a foreign terrorist organization attack if:

  • The individual or entity was in communication with the foreign terrorist organization before the attack
  • The attack was inspired or motivated by the foreign terrorist organization

Air Medal

Air Medal Criteria
Awarded for heroism or meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.
Air Medal Standard
Awarded to acts accomplished with distinction above and beyond that expected of professional Airmen, but not of that warranting award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Aerial Achievement Medal

AAM Criteria
Awarded for sustained meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.

Meritorious Service Medal

MSM Criteria
Awarded for outstanding meritorious achievement.

Air and Space Commendation Medal

AFCM Criteria
Awarded for distinctive meritorious achievement and service.

Air and Space Achievement Medal

AFAM Criteria
Awarded for outstanding achievement or meritorious service.

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