On 9 March 1942, the Secretary of War wrote a letter to the Director, Bureau of Budget, suggesting an executive order creating the Air Medal for award to any person who, while serving in any capacity of the Army of the United States, set himself/herself apart by meritorious achievement while involved in an aerial flight. It was nBy letter in July 1942, the Office of The Quartermaster General (OQMG), gave the opportunity of submitting blueprints for the medal to twenty-two different artists. On 31 December 1942, Walker Hancock's blueprint was approved by the Secretary of War. Walker Hancock at the time had been inducted into the Army and was stationed at Camp Livingston, Louisiana. On 16 November 1942, he was ordered to temporary duty to G1 War Department to conduct his work on the medal. The ribbon design prepared by the OQMG was accepted on 26 August 1942.
At the inception of the award of the Air Medal, Oat Leaf clusters were used to show previous awards of the medal. In September 1968, the procedure was changed to demand the use of numbers to show previous awards as it was soon evident that with as many awards as were awarded, that the oak leaf clusters would not fit on the ribbon.
During times of peace the Air Medal may be awarded, but the approval authority for an award at this time is not given to field commanders.
