Aeronautical Medal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aeronautical Medal |
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Aeronautical Medal (Obverse)
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| Type | Order of Merit |
| Awarded for | Accomplishments in aeronautics |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 14 February 1945 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Cross of the resistance volunteer combatant |
| Next (lower) | Combatant's Cross |
 Ribbon of the Aeronautical Medal |
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The Aeronautical Medal (which in French is called Médaille de l'Aéronautique) is a special award from France. It was created on February 14, 1945. This medal is given to people, both in the military and regular citizens, who have done amazing things in the world of aviation. Think of it as a way to honor those who excel in flying, building planes, or anything related to aircraft. The idea for this medal actually started before World War II. It was meant to be as important as the award given for achievements at sea, called the Order of Maritime Merit. The war put the plan on hold, but it finally became a reality in 1945.
Contents
Who Can Receive This Award?
The Aeronautical Medal is given to a limited number of people each year. No more than 275 new medals are awarded annually. These awards happen twice a year, on January 1st and July 14th.
What Makes Someone Eligible?
People can receive this medal for showing great skill and bravery in their work. This includes both civilian and military pilots. It also includes non-pilots who work for the Ministry of Defence (Air) or the Department of Transportation.
The medal is also given to citizens who have made big contributions to aviation. This means people who have helped develop military or civilian airplanes. It also includes those who have improved sports aviation, airports, or aircraft factories.
Special Achievements Recognized
The medal can be awarded for several reasons:
- Showing amazing skill while flying.
- Performing a heroic act in the air.
- Doing very unusual or important research in aviation.
- Providing exceptional help during serious air accidents.
Sometimes, the medal is given to people after they have passed away. It can also be awarded to people from other countries, not just France.
What Does the Medal Look Like?
The Aeronautical Medal is shaped like a rectangle and is made of shiny gold-colored metal.
Front of the Medal
On the front, you can see the left side of a golden face. This face is of Marianne, a symbol of France from the 1940s. Below Marianne, it says "Honneur et Patrie" in gold, which means "Honour and Country." The medal is mostly red, except for Marianne, the words, and a thin 2-millimeter border around the edge.
How It's Worn
The medal hangs from a royal blue silk ribbon that is 37 millimeters wide. The part that connects the medal to the ribbon looks like a wing. It has a five-pointed star in the middle and a slot for the ribbon to go through.
Back of the Medal
On the back of the medal, it says "MÉDAILLE DE L'AÉRONAUTIQUE 1945" on four lines. This simply means "AERONAUTICAL MEDAL 1945."
Famous People Who Received the Medal
Many notable individuals have been honored with the Aeronautical Medal. Here is a partial list of some of them:
French Citizens
- Élisabeth Boselli, a brave fighter pilot.
- Marie Marvingt, a pioneering female pilot.
- Pierre Clostermann, a top fighter pilot from World War II.
- Marie-Pierre Kœnig, a respected General.
- François Hussenot, an important engineer.
- Bernard Saint-Hillier, another General.
- Caroline Aigle, the first French female fighter pilot (awarded after her passing).
- Bernard Ziegler, a senior vice president for engineering at Airbus.
- General Jacques Marie Alfred Gaston Faure.
- Stéphane Abrial, a General in the French air force.
- Pierre Billotte, a General.
- Georges Bergé, a General.
- Francis Pollet, a General.
- Jacques Andrieux, a World War II fighter ace.
- Pierre Pouyade, another World War II fighter ace.
- Jean-Loup Chrétien, an astronaut and brigadier general.
- Jean-Paul Paloméros, a General.
- Valérie André, the first French female general officer.
- Louis Pailhas, director-general of the civil aviation university.
- Émile Allegret, an engineer.
- Yves Lambert, an engineer.
- Raoul Salan, a General.
- Serge Dassault, an engineer and CEO of the Dassault Group.
- Maryse Bastié, a pioneering female aviator.
- Patrick Baudry, an astronaut.
- Georges Catroux, a General.
- Philippe de Gaulle, an Admiral.
- Rene Joyeuse, a Free French Officer and OSS Agent.
Foreign Nationals
- Steve Fossett (USA)
- Hélène Dutrieu, a pioneering female pilot (Belgium)
- Craig Dobbin, CEO of Canadian Helicopter (Canada)
- Albert Boyd, a Major General in the USAF (USA)
- Sergeant Margaret Alfreda Wynne (UK), a WAAF translator for the Free French.
See Also
- Ribbons of the French military and civil awards
