Air Medal Mini Anodized Medal, Ribbon, Airman's Medal, United States Air Force National Air Shop US Air Force Medals Full & Miniature Versions Airman's Medal Wikidata Air Medal Anodized USAMM. Airmans Medal for Heroism Anodized Criteria: The Airmans Medal for Heroism is granted to service members in the U. S. Air Force who distinguish themselves by heroic actions, mostly at the voluntary risk of life, but not involving actual combat. The saving of a life or the success of the voluntary heroic act is not necessary. This medal was first created in 1960 and the U. S. Army has an equivalent to this medal called the Soldier's Medal. Between the years of 1947 and 1959 U. S. Air Force personnel were qualified for the Soldier's Medal because at this time a separate Airman's Medal had not been created.