The Combat Action Medal ( CAM ) is a decoration of the United States Air Force and United States Space Force to recognize airmen and guardians for active participation in ground or air combat.
65-552: The CAM was first awarded on June 12, 2007 as the Air Force Combat Action Medal, to six airmen who were engaged in air or ground combat off base in a combat zone during Operation Enduring Freedom ( Afghanistan , October 7, 2001 – December 28, 2015) or Operation Iraqi Freedom ( Iraq , March 19, 2003 – September 1, 2010). The medal is retroactive from September 11, 2001 forward to a date to be determined and may be awarded posthumously. On 16 November 2020,
130-555: A 5 ⁄ 16 " gold star to denote subsequent awards of specific decorations and a 3 ⁄ 16 " bronze service star is worn on the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal to denote a subsequent operation. In conjunction with the Army Institute of Heraldry , the medal was designed by Susan Gamble, a professional artist and Master Designer for the U.S. Mint , and wife of Mike Gamble, an Air Force colonel. She
195-514: A "Command Chief") as principal senior NCO enlisted adviser. Colonels are also found leading at directorate and division levels on the Secretariat, Air Staff (United States) , MAJCOM , or Numbered Air Force staff. A Space Force colonel typically commands a delta . In the modern armed forces, the colonel's eagle is worn facing forward with head and beak pointing towards the wearer's front. Of all U.S. military commissioned officer rank, only
260-721: A large operation to destroy al-Qaeda in an operation code-named Operation Anaconda . The operation was carried out by elements of the United States 10th Mountain Division , 101st Airborne Division , the U.S. special forces groups TF 11, TF Bowie, TF Dagger, TF K-Bar, British Royal Marines , the Norwegian Forsvarets Spesialkommando (FSK), Hærens Jegerkommando and Marinejegerkommandoen , Canada's 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry , Canada's Joint Task Force 2 ,
325-411: A lieutenant colonel as deputy commander, a major as executive officer , and a command sergeant major as a senior non-commissioned officer (NCO) advisor. An Air Force colonel typically commands a wing consisting of 1,000 to 4,000+ airmen with another colonel as the vice commander, four other colonels as group commanders , which are the major components of wings, and a Chief Master Sergeant (i.e.,
390-525: A minimum of three years as a lieutenant colonel before being promoted to colonel. With the signing of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019 (NDAA 2019), military services now have the authorization to directly commission new officers up to the rank of colonel. The pay grade for colonel is O-6. When worn alone, the insignia of rank seen at right is worn centered on headgear and fatigue uniforms. When worn in pairs,
455-518: A pay grade of "O-5". Officers in pay grade O-6 visiting or on temporary assignment to other installations are also accorded "Distinguished Visitor" (DV) status for lodging and other appropriate protocol honors. When flying on military aircraft as either crew or passenger, they are also accorded "Code" status as a "Code 7" in accordance with Department of Defense Flight Information Publication General Planning (DoD FLIP GP). Most Army colonels have attended or otherwise completed via seminar or correspondence
520-578: A regiment. Since most U.S. regiments were state formations and were quickly raised, the colonels in command of the regiments were known by the title "Colonel of Volunteers", in contrast to Regular Army colonels who held permanent commissions. During the Civil War, the Confederate army maintained a unique insignia for colonel, which comprised three yellow stars worn on the collar of a uniform. Robert E. Lee wore this insignia due to his former rank in
585-545: A scroll at the center of the eagle, "U.S. Air Force" and "Combat Action". The ribbon's diagonal stripes at first could not be manufactured in the United States; but military medals cannot be manufactured outside the U.S. This design problem was resolved when a mill in Bally, Pennsylvania , Bally Ribbon Mills, bought a new loom specifically to weave the diagonal stripe. A Rhode Island firm, Ira Green Inc. in Providence, made
650-532: A war college or a senior staff college equivalent to study joint warfare and war itself. It is possible to make Colonel without war college if the board file is as strong or stronger than a war college graduate. Most Army colonels receive postgraduate level senior joint professional military education (JPME) at the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania prior to promotion. The 2009 graduating class
715-525: Is believed to have been changed to avoid offense to Muslims who are the majority religion in Afghanistan. In September 2001, U.S. President George W. Bush 's remark that "this crusade , this war on terrorism, is going to take a while," which prompted widespread criticism from the Islamic world, may also have contributed to the renaming of the operation. The term "OEF" typically refers to the phase of
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#1732786684720780-548: Is currently displayed at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. Mitchell is generally known as the father of the U.S. Air Force. A laurel wreath surrounds the medal's eagle emblem executed in a simple, linear Art Deco style. The eagle with a national flag shield with thirteen perpendicular stripes on its breast faces right, over the right talon clutching arrows (represents
845-468: Is worn on the left side and the rank insignia is worn on the right hand side of the Marine, Navy, Coast Guard and NOAA garrison caps, the eagle is facing to the eagle's left with the olive branch clutched in the eagle's left hand talons, which is a mirror opposite to the wear of the single eagle for Army, Air Force, and Space Force officers. The U.S. rank of colonel is a direct successor to the same rank in
910-579: The 2005 Afghan parliamentary election on 18 September. Since the invasion, hundreds of schools and mosques have been constructed, millions of dollars in aid have been distributed, and the occurrence of violence has been reduced. While military forces interdicted insurgents and assured some form of security, Provincial reconstruction teams were tasked with infrastructure building, such as constructing roads and bridges, assisting during floods, and providing food and water to refugees . Many warlords have participated in an allegiance program, formally recognizing
975-552: The Air Force Presidential Unit Citation . The CAM may be awarded to members from the other Armed Forces and foreign military members serving in a U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force unit, provided they meet the criteria for the award. According to USAF Memo, June 25, 2015, Air Force Instruction 36–2803, December 18, 2013 (Change 1, June 22, 2015): AFCAM , Authorized Device: A gold star will be worn to recognize subsequent operations when approved by
1040-717: The British Army . The first colonels in the United States were appointed from colonial militias maintained as reserves to the British Army in the North American colonies. Upon the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War , colonial legislatures would grant commissions to men to raise a regiment and serve as its colonel. Thus, the first U.S. colonels were usually respected men with ties in local communities and active in politics. With
1105-557: The National Defense University or one of the other U.S. military services. Some people known as "colonels" are actually recipients of honorary colonel ranks from a state governor and are not officers of the U.S. military. In the 19th century, the honorary colonels were military appointments and they still are nominally appointed to a governor's staff, but without military rights or duties. Examples of honorary colonels include Colonel Harland Sanders of KFC fame,
1170-461: The Taliban had begun in Afghanistan. Beyond the military actions in Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom was also affiliated with counterterrorism operations in other countries, such as OEF-Philippines and OEF-Trans Sahara . After 13 years, on 28 December 2014, President Barack Obama announced the end of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Subsequent operations in Afghanistan by
1235-476: The United States Army , Marine Corps , Air Force and Space Force , is the most senior field-grade military officer rank , immediately above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general . Colonel is equivalent to the naval rank of captain in the other uniformed services . By law, an officer previously required at least 22 years of cumulative service and
1300-681: The United States Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC) deployed to the Philippines to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in their push to uproot terrorist forces on the island of Basilan . Of those groups included are Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah . The operation consisted of training the AFP in counter-terrorist operations as well as supporting
1365-615: The War of 1812 the Army grew rapidly and many colonels were appointed, but most of these colonels were discharged when their regiments were disbanded at the war's conclusion. A number of other colonels were appointed by brevet – an honorary promotion usually for distinguished service in combat. The American Civil War saw a large influx of colonels as the rank was commonly held in both the Confederate army and Union Army by those who commanded
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#17327866847201430-570: The AWC distance learning program. Still other USAF colonels a JPME program via the National Defense University (i.e., National War College , Eisenhower School ) or the program of another service (e.g., Army War College, College of Naval Warfare at the Naval War College , Marine Corps War College ). The AWC resident program includes participation by officers from various other branches of the U.S. armed forces and Allied nations. Completion of
1495-684: The AWC or an equivalent program is a de facto requirement for promotion to colonel in the USAF, to include the Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard . Marine colonels may graduate from the Marine Corps War College or, like all other branches, may receive credit via non-resident attendance at another installation, via correspondence, or will be graduates of an equivalent senior JPME program sponsored by
1560-679: The Air Force Combat Action Medal was renamed to the Combat Action Medal by the Secretary of the Air Force. For an airman or guardian to wear the CAM, members must provide proper documentation to their commander which includes a narrative explanation of the airman or guardian's involvement in combat activities to the first O-6 ( Colonel ) in their operational chain of command on an AF Form 3994. The application will be processed through
1625-632: The Buddhas were considered idols. In 1996, Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden moved to Afghanistan. When the Taliban came to power, bin Laden was able to forge an alliance between the Taliban and his al-Qaeda organization. It is understood that al-Qaeda-trained fighters known as the 055 Brigade were integrated with the Taliban army between 1997 and 2001. It has been suggested that the Taliban and bin Laden had very close connections. On 20 September 2001,
1690-635: The Chief of Staff of the Air Force (5.3.1.7., pages 148-49). However, in AFI 36-2903, gold stars are not included in the AF list of authorized ribbon devices (11.4, page 224); service/campaign stars ( 3 ⁄ 16 " bronze/silver star) are the only star devices authorized for wear. Also, no ribbon device is authorized for wear in AFI 36-2803 to denote subsequent awards of the CAM, which normally would be oak leaf clusters . The Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard authorizes
1755-764: The German KSK , and elements of the Australian Special Air Service Regiment and of the New Zealand Special Air Service and the Afghan National Army . After managing to evade U.S. forces throughout the summer of 2002, the remnants of the Taliban gradually began to regain their confidence. A U.S. and Canadian led operation (supported by British and Dutch forces), Operation Mountain Thrust
1820-523: The Philippines: [REDACTED] In Somalia: Operation Enduring Freedom ( OEF ) was the official name used by the U.S. government for both the first stage (2001–2014) of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) and the larger-scale Global War on Terrorism . On 7 October 2001, in response to the September 11 attacks , President George W. Bush announced that airstrikes against Al-Qaeda and
1885-439: The Taliban as the legal government of Afghanistan, leaving neighboring Pakistan as the only remaining country with diplomatic ties. On 4 October 2001, it was reported that the Taliban covertly offered to turn bin Laden over to Pakistan for trial in an international tribunal that operated according to Islamic shar'ia law . On 7 October 2001, the Taliban proposed to try bin Laden in Afghanistan in an Islamic court. This proposition
1950-618: The Taliban fled to Pakistan. The war continued in the south of the country, where the Taliban retreated to Kandahar . Whilst in Kandahar the Taliban agreed to surrender but the deal was rejected by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld as it would have provided amnesty to Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar . After Kandahar fell in December, remnants of the Taliban and al-Qaeda continued to mount resistance . Meanwhile, in November 2001
2015-407: The Taliban. Aided by U.S. bombing and massive defections, they captured Mazar-i-Sharif on 9 November. They then rapidly gained control of most of northern Afghanistan, and took control of Kabul on 13 November after the Taliban unexpectedly fled the city. The Taliban were restricted to a smaller and smaller region, with Kunduz , the last Taliban-held city in the north, captured on 26 November. Most of
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2080-434: The U.S. military and its allied forces established their first ground base in Afghanistan to the south west of Kandahar , known as FOB Rhino . The Battle of Tora Bora , involving U.S., German, British and Northern Alliance forces took place in December 2001 to further destroy the Taliban and suspected al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. In early March 2002 the United States military, along with allied Afghan military forces, conducted
2145-531: The U.S. stated that Osama bin Laden was behind the 11 September attacks in 2001. The U.S. made a five-point ultimatum to the Taliban: On 21 September 2001, the Taliban rejected this ultimatum, stating there was no evidence in their possession linking bin Laden to the 11 September attacks. On 22 September 2001 the United Arab Emirates and later Saudi Arabia withdrew their recognition of
2210-531: The U.S.) ( see the article Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2006 ). The United States military also conducts military operations separate from NATO as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in other parts of Afghanistan, in areas such as Kandahar, Bagram, and Kabul (including Camp Eggers and Camp Phoenix .) The United States was supported by several nations during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan in 2001–2003 and in subsequent coalition operations directly or indirectly in support of OEF. See
2275-588: The US left Afghanistan to the Taliban under an agreement ensuring a safe passage for American forces out of the country by mid 2021. On 15 August 2021, all of Afghanistan, besides Kabul, was back in the hands of Taliban. By August 31, all US and allied forces departed the Hamid Karzai International Airport, thus ending any official operations within Afghanistan. Colonel (United States) A colonel ( / ˈ k ɜːr n əl / ) in
2340-536: The United States Army and refused to wear the insignia of a Confederate general , stating that he would only accept permanent promotion when the Confederacy had defeated the U.S. and achieved its independence. After the end of the Civil War, the rank of colonel again became rare as the forces of the United States Army downsized and became extremely small. However, many U.S. colonels were appointed in
2405-466: The United States' military forces, both non-combat and combat, occurred under the name Operation Freedom's Sentinel . Operation Enduring Freedom referred to the U.S.-led combat mission in Afghanistan. The codename was also used for counter-terrorism operations in other countries targeting Al Qaeda and remnants of the Taliban , such as OEF-Philippines and OEF-Trans Sahara , primarily through government funding vehicles. The U.S. government used
2470-636: The War in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014. Other operations, such as the Georgia Train and Equip Program , are only loosely or nominally connected, such as through government funding vehicles. All the operations, however, have a focus on counterterrorism activities. Operation Enduring Freedom, which was a joint U.S., U.K., and Afghan operation, was separate from the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which
2535-606: The article Afghanistan War order of battle for the disposition of coalition forces in Afghanistan as of 2012. The U.S.-led coalition initially removed the Taliban from power and seriously crippled al-Qaeda and associated militants in Afghanistan. However, success in quelling the Taliban insurgency since the 2001 invasion has faltered. As the war dragged on, the Taliban demonstrated they could not be defeated also thanks to sanctuary in neighboring Pakistan. On 9 October 2004, Afghanistan elected Hamid Karzai president in its first direct elections. The following year, Afghans conducted
2600-526: The chain of command and eventually be approved or disapproved by the Commander of Air Force Forces (COMAFFOR). Nomination of the award of the CAM will be restricted to members of the U.S. Armed Forces who on or after September 11, 2001, were under any of the following conditions: Retroactive awards prior to September 11, 2001, are not authorized. It is worn after the Air and Space Achievement Medal and before
2665-477: The colonel's eagle has a distinct right and left insignia. All other commissioned officer rank insignia can be worn on either the right or left side. Colonels are sometimes referred to (but not addressed as) full colonels , bird colonels , or full bird colonels because lieutenant colonels are also referred to and addressed in correspondence as "colonel". Referring to an "O-6", a colonel's pay grade, also may differentiate colonels and lieutenant colonels , who have
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2730-561: The confidence of the local people. Since 2001, the cumulative expenditure by the U.S. government on Operation Enduring Freedom has exceeded $ 150 billion. Seizing upon a power vacuum after the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan after their invasion , the Taliban governed Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. Their extreme interpretation of Islamic law prompted them to ban music, television, sports, and dancing, and enforce harsh judicial penalties (See Human rights in Afghanistan ). Amputation
2795-460: The eagle has a U.S. shield superimposed on its chest and is holding an olive branch and bundle of arrows in its talons . However, in simplification of the Great Seal image, the insignia lacks the scroll in the eagle's mouth and the rosette above its head. On the Great Seal, the olive branch is always clutched in the eagle's right-side talons, while the bundle of arrows is always clutched in
2860-699: The eagle to the wearer's right or to the front," with the olive branch clutched in the eagle's right (or forward) hand talons (see Department of the Army Pamphlet 670-1, paragraph 21-6 [a][1]). In the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, NOAA, and the PHSCC, the eagle is worn with "the head facing forward" on the wearer's right side of the garrison cover (see Marine Corps Order P1020.34G, Uniform Regulation, paragraph 4005d[1]). Since respective service's officer insignia
2925-527: The insignia is worn on the officer's left side while a mirror-image reverse version is worn on the right side, such that both of the eagles' heads face forward, to the wearer's front. The insignia for a colonel is a silver eagle which is a stylized representation of the eagle dominating the Great Seal of the United States (which is the coat of arms of the United States). As on the Great Seal,
2990-403: The left-side talons. The head of the eagle faces towards the olive branch, rather than the arrows, advocating peace rather than war. As a result, the head of the eagle always faces towards the viewer's left. Some colonel eagles from the 1920s to the 1950s faced the arrows, though this is no longer done. The full-sized colonel eagle is 3/4 inches tall and 1 + 1 ⁄ 2 inches in diameter from
3055-463: The legitimacy of the government of Afghanistan, and formally surrendering their soldiers and weapons. Subsequent actions have led to questions about their true loyalties. The Afghan National Army , Afghan National Police , and Afghan Border Police were being trained to assume the task of securing their nation. On 31 December 2014, Operation Enduring Freedom concluded, and was succeeded by Operation Freedom's Sentinel on 1 January 2015. In 2020,
3120-663: The local people with humanitarian aid in Operation Smiles . In October 2002, the Combined Task Force 150 and United States military Special Forces established themselves in Djibouti at Camp Lemonnier . The stated goals of the operation were to provide humanitarian aid and patrol the Horn of Africa to reduce the abilities of terrorist organizations in the region. Similar to OEF-P, the goal of humanitarian aid
3185-736: The metal parts. The CAM is the only U.S. military award to have a diagonally patterned ribbon, much like the British Distinguished Flying Cross and Netherlands Airman's Cross . The CAM service ribbon has five stripes. The CAM was presented for the first time to seven airmen (six men and one woman) by the Air Force Chief of Staff , General T. Michael Moseley (now retired), at the U.S. Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia : and 819 RED HORSE (Airfields Shop) Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana The CAM
3250-494: The post-war reduction of the U.S. Army, the rank of colonel disappeared, and was not re-introduced until 1802. The first insignia for the rank of colonel consisted of gold epaulettes worn on the blue uniform of the Continental Army . The rank of colonel was relatively rare in the early 19th century, partly because the U.S. Army was very small, and the rank was usually obtained only after long years of service. During
3315-471: The power of war), to reflect that this is a combat medal. The left talon clutches an olive branch (represents the power of peace). The eagle which symbolizes Mitchell's military rank insignia of colonel , has above it a five-pointed star which represents Mitchell's wartime promotion to the temporary rank of brigadier general in October, 1918. The reverse side of the medal contains two rows of words written on
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#17327866847203380-781: The rank of colonel during these two wars. The Military Promotion System was revised and standardized for all the services in 1980 as a result of passage of the Defense Officer Personnel Management Act . Contemporary U.S. colonels usually command Army infantry, artillery, armor, aviation, special forces, or other types of brigades or regiments as well as large installations; USMC regiments , Marine Expeditionary Units , Marine Aircraft Groups, or installations such as Marine Corps Bases or Marine Corps Air Stations; USAF groups or wings ; and USSF deltas . An Army colonel typically commands brigade-sized units (4,000 to 6,000 soldiers), with another colonel or
3445-430: The remaining Taliban. On Sunday 7 October 2001, American and British warplanes began fighting Taliban forces and al-Qaeda. Cruise missiles were fired from warships. The Northern Alliance , aided by Joint Special Operations teams consisting of Green Berets from the 5th Special Forces Group , aircrew members from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), and Air Force Combat Controllers , fought against
3510-462: The start of Operation Enduring Freedom. The initial military objectives of OEF, as articulated by President George W. Bush in his 20 September address to a Joint Session of Congress and his 7 October address to the country, included the destruction of terrorist training camps and infrastructure within Afghanistan, the capture of al-Qaeda leaders, and the cessation of terrorist activities in Afghanistan. In January 2002, over 1,200 soldiers from
3575-489: The term "Operation Enduring Freedom" to officially describe the War in Afghanistan , from the period between 7 October 2001 and 31 December 2014. Subsequent operations in Afghanistan by the United States' military forces, both non-combat and combat, occurred under the name Operation Freedom's Sentinel . The operation was originally called "Operation Infinite Justice," but as similar phrases have been used by adherents of several religions as an exclusive description of God, it
3640-426: The tips of each wing. However, when worn as a single insignia with no matching pair, such as on the patrol cap , garrison cap / flight cap , or the front of the Army, Air Force, or Space Force OCP uniform, there is a split between the services on which mirror image of the eagle should be worn. In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Space Force, the eagle is always worn with "the head of
3705-607: The volunteers during the Spanish–American War , prominent among them Theodore Roosevelt and David Grant Colson . World War I and World War II saw the largest numbers of colonels ever appointed in the U.S. military. This was mostly due to the temporary ranks of the National Army and the Army of the United States , where those who would normally hold the rank of Captain in the peacetime Regular Army were thrust into
3770-481: Was 336 including 198 army officers and the rest divided among other military branches, domestic inter-agency representatives and other foreign military leaders. A high concentration of USAF colonels graduate from the Air War College (AWC) at Maxwell AFB , Alabama via in-residence at Maxwell AFB, while other USAF colonels complete AWC via a non-resident seminar program paralleling the in-residence program or
3835-513: Was an accepted form of punishment for stealing, and public executions could often be seen at the Kabul football stadium. Women's rights groups around the world were frequently critical as the Taliban banned women from appearing in public or holding many jobs outside the home. They drew further criticism when they destroyed the Buddhas of Bamyan , historical statues nearly 1,500 years old, because
3900-550: Was an operation of North Atlantic Treaty Organization nations including the U.S. and the U.K. The two operations ran in parallel, although it had been suggested that they merge. In response to the September 11 attacks , the early combat operations that took place on 7 October 2001 to include a mix of strikes from land-based B-1 Lancer , B-2 Spirit and B-52 Stratofortress bombers, carrier-based F-14 Tomcat and F/A-18 Hornet fighters, and Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from both U.S. and British ships and submarines signaled
3965-433: Was emphasized, ostensibly to prevent militant organizations from being able to take hold amongst the population as well as reemerge after being removed. The military aspect involves coalition forces searching and boarding ships entering the region for illegal cargo as well as providing training and equipment to the armed forces in the region. The humanitarian aspect involves building schools, clinics and water wells to enforce
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#17327866847204030-400: Was immediately rejected by the US. On 14 October 2001, the Taliban proposed to hand bin Laden over to a third country for trial, but only if they were given evidence of bin Laden's involvement in the events of 11 September 2001. The UN Security Council , on 16 January 2002, unanimously established an arms embargo and the freezing of identifiable assets belonging to bin Laden, al-Qaeda, and
4095-627: Was launched in May 2006 to counter renewed Taliban insurgency. Since January 2006, the NATO International Security Assistance Force undertook combat duties from Operation Enduring Freedom in southern Afghanistan, the NATO force chiefly made up of British, Canadian and Dutch forces (and some smaller contributions from Denmark, Romania and Estonia and air support from Norway as well as air and artillery support from
4160-768: Was presented posthumously to: [REDACTED] Media related to Air Force Combat action Medal at Wikimedia Commons Operation Enduring Freedom In Afghanistan : (completed) In the Philippines : (completed) In Somalia/Horn of Africa : In Georgia : (completed) In Kyrgyzstan : (completed) [REDACTED] In Afghanistan: [REDACTED] In the Philippines: [REDACTED] In Somalia: In Sahara: [REDACTED] CIC George W Bush (2001–2009) [REDACTED] 45,000+ killed [REDACTED] 2,380 killed by January 2016 [REDACTED] 456 killed [REDACTED] 158 killed [REDACTED] 90 killed [REDACTED] In Afghanistan: [REDACTED] In
4225-585: Was quoted by The Washington Post as saying, "It was just a real pleasure to give this back to the Air Force that's been part of my life." Gamble based the silver medal's design and ribbon color ( scarlet with ten yellow stripes) from the circular insignia painted on planes which were piloted by Brigadier General William "Billy" Mitchell , including a French-built SPAD XVI (SPAD 16) fighter aircraft he piloted in France during World War I . His SPAD 16 (single-engine, two-seat, reconnaissance and bomber aircraft)
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