Editing Commendation Medal (section)

===Air and Space Forces===
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The [[United States Department of the Air Force|Department of the Air Force]] began issuing its own '''Air Force Commendation Medal''' in 1958 with additional awards denoted by oak leaf clusters.  Prior to this time, USAF recipients received the Army Commendation Medal.  It was not until 1996 that the "V" device was authorized on the Air Force Commendation Medal; prior to 1996, there was not a valor distinction in effect for the Air Force Commendation Medal. On January 7, 2016, the "C" device and "R" device was authorized on the Air Force Commendation Medal as well. For USAF enlisted personnel, the Air Force Commendation Medal is worth three points under the Air Force enlisted promotion system.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afpc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=7777|title=Factsheets : Air Force Commendation Medal|work=af.mil|access-date=May 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616184153/http://www.afpc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=7777|archive-date=June 16, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On November 16, 2020, it was renamed the '''Air and Space Commendation Medal''' (''ASCOM'') by the Secretary of the Air Force.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/dafman36-2806/dafman36-2806.pdf |title=Military awards manuel |access-date=November 25, 2022 |archive-date=November 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101133713/https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/dafman36-2806/dafman36-2806.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

;Criteria and appearance
The Air and Space Commendation Medal is awarded to both American and foreign military personnel of any service branch in the U.S. military grade of [[U.S. uniformed services pay grades|O-6]] and below, the NATO grade of OF-5 and below, or of any other Allied or Coalition nation in the grade of Colonel or equivalent or below, or the naval grade of Captain or equivalent or below, who have performed noteworthy service in any capacity with the United States Air Force or United States Space Force. Qualifying service for the award of the medal can be for distinctive meritorious achievement and service, acts of courage involving no voluntary risk of life, or sustained meritorious performance of duty. Approval of the award must be made by an officer in the grade of [[Lieutenant Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] or higher.<ref name=AFI36-2803/>

The Air and Space Commendation Medal is a bronze hexagonal medallion. On the medallion is a shield surmounted by an eagle superimposed over clouds. On the shield bears a pair of flyer's wings and a vertical baton with an eagle's claw at either end; behind the shield are eight lightning bolts. The design on the shield is derived from the [[United States Department of the Air Force|Seal of the Department of the Air Force]]. The ribbon of the Air and Space Commendation Medal is golden yellow with blue edges. In the center are three bands of blue, the outer stripes are thin with the center stripe being wider.<ref name=AFI36-2803>{{cite book|title=Air Force Instruction 36-2803 The Air Force Military Awards and Decorations Program|date=December 18, 2013|publisher=United States Air Force|pages=88–90|url=http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/afi36-2803/afi36-2803_.pdf|access-date=March 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304144752/http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/afi36-2803/afi36-2803_.pdf|archive-date=March 4, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

; Devices
* [[Oak leaf cluster]] (for subsequent awards)
* [["V" device]] (for valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy)
* [["C" device]] (for meritorious service in direct contact with an enemy)
* [["R" device]] (for employment of a remote weapon system during military operations)
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==== Notable recipients ====
* [[Allison Black]], U.S. Air Force officer<ref name= combat>{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date= |title= Recognizing Extraordinary Acts of Service MSgt John A. Chapman Service Before Self Award|url= https://www.combatcontrolfoundation.org/combat-control-first-there-programs/heritage/master-sergeant-john-a-chapman-service-before-self-award|website= Combat Control Foundation|location= |publisher= |access-date= February 23, 2025}}</ref>