| Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air | |
| Presenter: | the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth |
| Type: | Decoration for meritorious service |
| Eligibility: | Both service personnel and civilians |
| Awarded For: | Service while flying |
| Status: | Discontinued in 1994 |
| Description: | Pin back badge / Ribbon device |
| Established: | 1942 |
| Total Awarded: | Circa 3,000 |
| Image2 Size: | 120 |
The Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air, formerly the King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air, was a merit award for flying service awarded by the United Kingdom between 1942 and 1994. It was replaced by the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in the Air and the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service.[1]
The King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air was first awarded in 1942 to reward both meritorious and gallant service while flying, not in the face of an enemy, that did not reach the standard required for the Air Force Cross or the Air Force Medal.[2] It could be awarded to both members of the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces and to civilians. It was renamed the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air in 1952, following the accession of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne.[3]
Service personnel wear a bronze oak leaf device on the ribbon of the appropriate campaign medal, in the same way as those mentioned in dispatches. A smaller version of the oak leaf is attached to the ribbon when worn alone. Where no campaign medal is awarded, the oak leaf is worn directly on the coat after any medal ribbons. A recipient of both a King’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air and a mention in dispatches can wear two oak leaves on one ribbon.[2]
In 1945 a special badge was introduced for civilian recipients. Designed by Percy Metcalfe, and approved by King George VI in September 1945,[4] it is silver and consists of two raised wings creating an oval, surmounted by a crown and the words FOR VALUABLE SERVICE. It measures 1.1inches in height and 0.7inches wide.[5] It is worn on the coat immediately below any medals or medal ribbons or, in civil airline uniform, on the panel of the left breast pocket. If a recipient has no medals, the badge is worn in the position in which a single ribbon would be worn.[6] The reverse is plain, except for the attachment pin and, in some cases, a registration number.
Although renamed the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air in 1952,[7] this did not lead to a change of design.
All recipients also received a certificate, signed by the appropriate government minister.[4]
Approximately 3,000 Commendations for Valuable Service in the Air were awarded, including to service personnel and civilians.[8] Among the recipients were a number of civilian, RAF and RN test pilots who received the award in recognition of extraordinary flying during extreme conditions.
This table summarises the various King's and Queen's Commendations awarded by the United Kingdom:
| Period | For Bravery | For Bravery (Air) | For valuable service | For valuable service (Air) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 – 1952 | – | – | King’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air | ||
| 1952 – 1994 | – | – | Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air | ||
| 1994 – 2022[17] | Queen's Commendation for Bravery in the Air | – | |||
| 2022 – present | King's Commendation for Bravery in the Air | – |