History
Instituted on 3 June 1918 with the Royal Air Force, the Air Force Medal completed the founding quartet of RAF flying awards as the non-operational counterpart of the Air Force Cross for other ranks: it recognised acts of gallantry or devotion to duty while flying, though not in active operations against the enemy, by non-commissioned airmen. It was the rarest of the four, awarded in far smaller numbers than its operational and officer counterparts.
In the RAF's first years only about a hundred were awarded, and though its numbers grew it remained scarce. The 1993 reform, which opened the Air Force Cross to all ranks, discontinued the Medal. Australian airmen serving in RAF and Commonwealth squadrons were among the recipients, and as an Imperial award it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Design & ribbon
The medal
The medal is oval and silver, its obverse bearing the crowned effigy of the reigning sovereign. The reverse shows Hermes mounted on a hawk in flight bestowing a wreath, echoing the Air Force Cross, and it is suspended from a straight bar ornamented with wings.
The ribbon
White with narrow diagonal red stripes.
The ribbon is white with narrow diagonal red stripes, the diagonal pattern adopted in 1919 in place of the original horizontal stripes.
Clasps
Further acts meriting the medal are recognised by a bar rather than a second medal.
Eligibility
The medal was awarded to non-commissioned ranks for an act or acts of gallantry or devotion to duty while flying, though not in active operations against the enemy.
- It was the other ranks' equivalent of the Air Force Cross;
- A bar denoted a further award, with a silver rosette worn on the ribbon when the ribbon alone was worn; the medal was discontinued in 1993;
- Recipients are entitled to the post-nominal letters AFM. As an Imperial award it retains its place in the Australian Order of Wearing.
Order of wear
Imperial awards were the honours of Australia before the Australian honours system was established in 1975, and they retain their place in the Order of Wearing. They are worn after the Australian honours of their kind and among the Imperial awards in the order set by the Australian Order of Wearing, which follows the British order of precedence.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Air Force Medal awarded for?
Gallantry or devotion to duty while flying, though not in active operations against the enemy, by non-commissioned ranks: the other ranks' equivalent of the Air Force Cross.
How does it differ from the Air Force Cross?
The deed is the same; the difference was rank. The Cross went to officers and warrant officers, the Medal to non-commissioned airmen, until 1993 when the Cross opened to all ranks.
Why is it so rare?
It was the narrowest of the four founding RAF awards, for non-operational gallantry by non-commissioned airmen; only about a hundred were awarded in the RAF's first years.
What does the reverse show?
Hermes mounted on a hawk bestowing a wreath, echoing the Air Force Cross and the wider family of RAF flying awards.
When was it discontinued?
In 1993, when the honours review opened the Air Force Cross to all ranks.
Does it carry a post-nominal?
Yes, the letters AFM.