United States Air Medal: Sergeant John Norris Parker, 77 Squadron RAAF

Air Force Cross: Squadron Leader John Norris Parker, No 1 (Bomber) Operational Conversion Unit RAAF

Accession Number	REL47338.011
Collection type	Heraldry
Object type	Medal
Physical description	Bronze
Maker	Unknown
Place made	United States of America
Date made	1952
Conflict	Korea, 1950-1953
Source credit to	This item has been digitised with funding provided by Commonwealth Government.

Description

United States Air Medal, engraved on reverse with recipient's details and date of '26-3-52'.

History / Summary

This United States Air Medal relates to the service of then Sergeant John Norris Parker, an Australian pilot serving with 77 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during the Korean War.

A close working relationship has existed between Australian and American aviators since the Second World War. Several Australian airmen who have worked either alongside or 'embedded' into US Air units during the Second World War , Korean and Vietnam Wars have been awarded US decorations such as the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Air Medal.

According to the order of precedence, being a foreign award and regardless of its stature of being a United States Air Medal, it must be placed after the awardees last Australian or British Commonwealth medal.