File:Ad Astra Medal (AAM) (first draft).jpg

English: South Africa instituted its own military orders, decorations and medals in 1952. However, South African equivalents of the British Distinguised Flying Cross (DFC) and Air Force Cross (AFC) were omitted at the time. This omission was only belatedly addressed at the end of the 1966-1989 Border War when the Air Force Command Council proposed the institution of the Air Force Cross (CA).

The decoration was originally intended for award only to aircrew who displayed exceptional courage and leadership during dangerous or critical situations while airborne and where an award for bravery was not suitable, based on the premise that bravery involves knowingly entering mortal danger from a position of relative safety, as opposed to skillfully reacting to an unforeseen situation of mortal danger. However, the other three Arms of the Service were quick to jump on the bandwagon, with the result that an Army Cross (CM), a Navy Cross (CN) and a Medical Service Cross (CC) were also instituted simultaneously. In the process the award criteria were watered down to outstanding ingenuity or skill in the utilisation and control of personnel, weaponry or other equipment in dangerous situations and not necessarily restricted to flying.

Since the requirement for decorations equivalent to the British Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and Air Force Cross (AFC) still existed, the Air Force Command Council then proposed the institution of the Ad Astra Decoration (AAD) and Ad Astra Medal (AAM). As was originally intended with the Air Force Cross (CA), the criteria were again described in the draft warrant as excellent airmanship or outstanding ingenuity or skill during emergencies or critically unusual situations in the air.

Depicted is the first draft design of the Ad Astra Medal (AAM), prepared by the State Herald's office. When presented to the Air Force Command Council, it was ordered that the ribbon had to have vertical lines.

(I was a Staff Officer at the SADF Personnel Division at the time, with the administration of military orders, decorations and medals as part of my duties, and I worked closely with the State Herald, Citizen Force Major Fred Brownell, in the design and approval of this and several other new decorations and medals in 1991. Fred Brownell, incidentally, also designed the new South African National Flag of 1994.)