FDR: “By virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States and as Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy…”

“By virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States and as Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, it is hereby ordered that an Air Medal, with accompanying ribbons, be established for award to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard of the United States, subsequent to September 8, 1939, distinguishes, or has distinguished, himself by meritorious achievement while participating in an aerial flight.”