{"product_id":"air-force-medal-eiir-miniature","title":"Air Force Medal EIIR Miniature","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eAir Force Medal (AFM) EIIR\u003c\/strong\u003e Miniature Medal was awarded to non-commissioned members of the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth air forces in recognition of courage, exceptional flying skill and devotion to duty whilst flying on non-operational service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstituted in 1918 alongside the Air Force Cross (AFC), the Air Force Medal served as the equivalent award for non-commissioned personnel, recognising acts of bravery and outstanding airmanship outside active operations against an enemy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing a comprehensive review of the British honours system in 1993, rank-based distinctions for gallantry awards were removed. As a result, the Air Force Medal was discontinued and the \u003cstrong\u003eAir Force Cross became available to personnel of all ranks\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe final award of the Air Force Medal was made to \u003cstrong\u003eFlight Sergeant Richard Hardeman of the Royal New Zealand Air Force\u003c\/strong\u003e, announced in December 1993, marking the end of a distinguished chapter in Commonwealth military aviation history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, the Air Force Medal remains highly sought after by collectors of RAF medals, aviation awards and British gallantry decorations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTraditionally die struck medal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eQueen Elizabeth II (EIIR) issue\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRAF and Commonwealth aviation gallantry award\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAwarded for courage and devotion to duty whilst flying\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRecognised non-operational flying service\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiscontinued following the 1993 honours review\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFinal award announced in December 1993\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIdeal for collectors, display and replacement purposes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Air Force Medal and the 1993 Honours Review\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor much of its history, the Air Force Medal was awarded to non-commissioned personnel for courage, skill and devotion to duty whilst flying on non-operational service, while commissioned officers were eligible for the Air Force Cross.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing reforms introduced in 1993, the British honours system removed many rank-based distinctions. The Air Force Medal was consequently discontinued, with the Air Force Cross becoming the single award available for all ranks undertaking qualifying service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe final Air Force Medal award was announced in December 1993 and awarded to Flight Sergeant Richard Hardeman of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat was the Air Force Medal awarded for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Air Force Medal was awarded for courage, exceptional skill and devotion to duty whilst flying on non-operational service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho was eligible for the Air Force Medal?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Air Force Medal was historically awarded to non-commissioned personnel of the Royal Air Force and other qualifying Commonwealth air forces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy was the Air Force Medal discontinued?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe medal was discontinued following the 1993 honours system review, which removed rank-based distinctions in gallantry awards. The Air Force Cross subsequently became available to all ranks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho received the final Air Force Medal?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe final award was made to Flight Sergeant Richard Hardeman of the Royal New Zealand Air Force and was announced in December 1993.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat replaced the Air Force Medal?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Air Force Cross replaced the Air Force Medal as the equivalent gallantry award for all ranks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WMS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58496058655101,"sku":"01-02-00001-MINI","price":39.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0601\/7817\/files\/air_force_medal_eiir_moniature.webp?v=1786091872","url":"https:\/\/www.empiremedals.com\/products\/air-force-medal-eiir-miniature","provider":"Empire Medals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}