This medal was chosen as the 26th issue of the prestigious Society of Medalists series in 1942.
The obverse bears kneeling nude youth holding an airplane model in right hand, left hand on propeller; sun at left horizon. To right, date and signature 19 (circled BP) 41 / ©
The reverse bears dove in flight over fleecy clouds. Below, FLIGHT
Brenda Putnam wrote in the brochure accompanying the medal:
"Although this medal is issued during a preiod when the entire world is engaged in a gigantic struggle on land, at sea, and in the air, the theme of the medal is not warlike. The lad is no warrior, and the bird no eagle. Rather does the design concern itself with man's creative struggle to win supremacy in a vast new region, -the air. The war proves only too well the appalling destructive power of fighting and bombing planes. But beyond the war -and there will surely be a beyond- there are infinite possibilities for constructive and humanitarian activities in man's conquest of the air."
This medal measures 73mm in diameter and was produced by the Medallic Art Company of New York which struck 759 pieces in bronze and 100 in silver.