Awards and decorations of the United States Department of the Air Force

The Department of the Air Force first began issuing awards and decorations in 1947.

At that time, airmen were eligible to receive most U.S. Army decorations.

In 1962, following the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Department of the Air Force began a concentrated effort to create its own distinctive awards, separate from the Army.

More information about civilian recognition can be found in DAFI 36-1004 Department of the Air Force Civilian Recognition Program (10 Dec 2023) and SPFGM 2024-36-01 United States Space Force (USSF) Civilian Recognition Program (4 Jan 2024).

Guidance for special awards was moved to a website at https://access.afpc.af.mil/.