Air Medal

[Twillie2]

I have a DFC awarded to an enlisted sailor who was shot down and KIA in WWII Pacific. I don't have any other medals awarded to him.  Question: would he have been awarded an Air Medal (AM) before being awarded a DFC? If not, why? 

  It's my understanding that the AM was / is awarded more for meritorious rather than heroic services / actions. I've seen cases where a person was shot down and awarded an AM as opposed to a DFC. Was it a situation where the pilot who was usually an officer was recognized with a higher award and the enlisted person given a Letter of Commendation for the same action? 

Thanks for the help.

Twillie2

[KASTAUFFER]

Its an "It All Depends" answer.  Air Medals were awarded for different reasons by the USN during WWII.  Could be an individual action or could be based on flight/strikes.  On Navy AM's the date is always engraved on them. If its a specific day, its for a specific action. If it a date span it based on a number of missions.

 

Sometimes , mainly the pilot, was awarded a higher decoration than the rest of the crew.  It was not unusual for Midway for a pilot to get a Navy Cross and his back seater a DFC.

 

Kurt

 

 

[KASTAUFFER]

 

[Twillie2]

Thanks for the good info and clarification. Twillie2