US Air Force Commendation Medal

The original medal is in excellent condition. Bronze, stamping, patination. Original name «Air Force Commendation Medal». Guarantee of authenticity.

The Commendation Medal is a combat award in the US Armed Forces, awarded for the manifestation of heroism and impeccable service. It has five options: one for each of the four branches of the armed forces and one awarded in the case of service under the leadership of the Joint Command of the US Department of Defense. The Commendatory Medal of the Joint Command was established on June 25, 1963. The Army Commendation Medal can be awarded to military personnel with the rank up to and including colonel who served in the US Army after December 6, 1941. The basis for awarding the medal may be special merits in the service, the manifestation of courage at the risk of life or impeccable performance of duties. Additional signs:

• Oak leaves (for repeated awards)

• Letter "V" (for valor in direct contact with the enemy)

• Letter "C" (for impeccable service in combat conditions)

• Letter "R" (for direct and immediate influence on the course of the battle, rendered from a remote location)

The Air Force Commendation Medal was established in 1958, until that moment, US Air Force servicemen received the Army Commendation Medal. The conditions of awarding and additional badges are similar to the Army Commendation Medal.

The Naval Commendation Ribbon was established in the U.S. Navy in November 1943, and converted into the Naval Commendation Medal in 1960. Compared to other variants of the Meritorious Medal, historically the naval variant was issued less frequently and was considered somewhat older. The medal was awarded either to direct participants in combat operations (with the letter "V"), or to senior officers at the end of their career or service in a certain unit. However, in the early 2000s, the medal began to be awarded much more often, including to junior officers.  The U.S. Coast Guard established the Coast Guard Commendation Ribbon in 1947, and in 1959 the ribbon was transformed into the Coast Guard Commendation Medal. The conditions of awarding are similar to the Navy variant. Additional badges of the Navy and Coast Guard medals: re-award star, letter "V", letter "O".