X-Nico

4 unusual facts about Air Medal


Dean Chavers

He flew 138 missions and received the Air Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and eight other awards.

James T. Blair, Jr.

He received the Air Medal, Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star among other awards as he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Walter J. Boverini

He was awarded the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

William Steger

In recognition for his bravery as a fighter pilot in World War II, Steger received the Air Medal and four Oak Leaf Clusters and attained the rank of captain.


Aaron Tuten

Tuten was awarded the Air Medal with Valor Device for a mission taking place on April 6, 2008 involving the extraction of six Special Forces troops during which time the Air Crew took Sniper Fire from Taliban forces and sustained damages to the Aircraft's Main Rotor System when a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) exploded near the aft section of the aircraft.

Adriel N. Williams

His military decorations include the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak leaf clusters, Air Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, French Croix de Guerre with Palm, and The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant, Thailand.

Edward A. Gisburne

The older son, Edward Jr., fought in the Pacific theater with the 40th Bombardment Group and earned the Air Medal for his actions in aerial combat with the Japanese; he was killed in action at age 29 on May 26, 1945, when his B-29 Superfortress went down.

Guy M. Townsend

Townsend was awarded the following medals for his military service: Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation Emblem, Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, and the Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon.

John E. Pitts, Jr.

In 1951, Pitts served with the 136th Tactical Fighter Group in the Korean War, flying 100 missions in the F-84 Thunderjet fighter-bomber aircraft and receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster.

John P. McConnell

His decorations include the Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal, and numerous foreign awards, including Commander of the Order of the British Empire and the Legion of Honor - Degree of Commandeur (France).

Thomas A. Benes

Awards he received include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal three award stars, the Air Medal with valor device and four strike/flight numerals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Navy Achievement Medal.


see also

Dusty Rhodes

Raleigh Rhodes (1918–2007), nicknamed Dusty Rhodes, Air Medal recipient

Gregory Mangin

Reaching the rank of staff sargeant he received the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), the Air Medal with six clusters and a Purple Heart with one cluster.