Aerial Achievement Medal Hat Pin

The Aerial Achievement Medal (AAM) is bestowed upon military personnel in recognition of commendable accomplishments during aerial flights. It may also be granted to acknowledge individual instances of merit or heroism. The primary purpose of the AAM is to honor those individuals who are actively engaged in frequent and regular aerial flight as part of their essential duties, either as crew members or non-crew members. However, it can also be awarded to other exceptional individuals who fulfill combat responsibilities involving regular and frequent flying in roles other than passenger status. Additionally, individuals who perform distinguished acts while serving as crew members, but not in a flying capacity, may be eligible. These individuals must make a notable contribution to the operational land combat mission or the aircraft's overall mission while in flight. The AAM was established on May 11, 1942, and its retroactive period of eligibility dates back to September 8, 1939.

Within the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, there are two categories of Air Medals: the "individual" category for singular acts of merit and the "strike/flight" category for sustained participation in aerial flight operations. Bronze Strike/Flight numerals indicate the latter, and for "individual" AAMs, a valor device may be authorized. In the U.S. Coast Guard, the Air Medal is issued with gold and silver stars denoting subsequent awards, without any additional devices authorized. The U.S. Army signifies the AAM through numerals displayed on both the medal and ribbon. The U.S. Army and Air Force also grant the Air Medal with a Valor device to recognize acts of heroism, while the Air Force does not utilize numerals on the AAM and instead employs traditional oak leaf clusters to indicate subsequent awards.

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