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serviceEst. 1965
Air Force Cross (United States)
AFC
INHERENTLY VALOR
Base Points
85
Valor Points
85
Precedence
#2
Tier
2
About This Medal
Summary
The Air Force Cross (AFC) is the United States Air Force (USAF) and U.S. Space Force's (USSF) second highest military decoration for airmen and guardians who distinguish themselves with extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. The medal is awarded to any person, while serving in any capacity with the USAF or USSF, who distinguish themselves by heroism which is extraordinary but not sufficient for the award of a Medal of Honor. The Air Force Cross is equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross of the U.S. Army, the Navy Cross of the U.S. naval services, and the Coast Guard Cross of the U.S. Coast Guard; collectively, these awards known as the "service crosses". Prior to July 6, 1960, members of the USAF were awarded Distinguished Service Cross.
How It Is Awarded
Title 10, Chapter 857, Section 8742. Air Force Cross: Award
"The President may award an Air Force cross of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force [or Space Force], distinguishes themselves by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor: (1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; (2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or (3) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party."
The medal is usually presented by the Secretary of the Air Force in a formal ceremony at the Pentagon.
^ Title 10 U.S.C., Chapter 857, Section 8742. Air Force cross: Award
^ "Title 10, Sub-Title D Air Force, Part II Personnel, Chapter 857 Awards and Decorations, §8742". Cornell University Law School. Retrieved 8 February 2009.
^ "Air Force Manual 36-2806, 10 June 2019. p. 64" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
SSgt Zachary Rhyner receiving the Air Force Cross from Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley. Maj. Benvolio Palladino (then Msgt. Palladino) for heroic actions in combat while in Helmand Provence, Afghanistan in 2015. His actions saved more than 20 service members and more than 30 Afghani women and children. Gen Charles G. Boyd, POW for almost seven years and the only Vietnam-era POW to reach the four-star rank. Lt Col Charlie L. Brown: One of the three recipients of the award for actions during World War II, while serving with the United States Army Air Forces, the predecessor of USAF. MSgt John A. Chapman, awarded posthumously for heroism in the Battle of Takur Ghar, during the War in Afghanistan. Later upgraded to the Medal of Honor. Flt Lt Garry Gordon Cooper (Royal Australian Air Force): assigned to USAF 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron during Vietnam War as a Forward Air Controller. Was shot down during an observation helicopter mission and was instrumental in saving the injured Brigade Commander. Only non-US serviceman to receive AFC. Col George E. "Bud" Day: Medal of Honor recipient and Vietnam War POW Capt Charles B. "Chuck" DeBellevue: F-4 weapon systems officer ace, credited with six MiG kills, the most of any U.S. aviator during the Vietnam War. Col John A. Dramesi: Vietnam-era POW who led the only organized escape from the Hanoi Hilton with Edwin Atterberry. Maj Urban L. Drew: One of the three recipients of the award for actions during World War II, while serving with the United States Army Air Forces, the predecessor of USAF. CMSgt Richard Etchberger: USAF Airman who died in the Battle of Lima Site 85. Award later upgraded to Medal of Honor. Lt Gen John P. Flynn: Vietnam War fighter pilot and POW A2C Duane D. Hackney: Pararescueman decorated for valor in Vietnam. Maj Gen Paul Johnson: an A-10 pilot during the Gulf War, helped rescue a downed pilot behind enemy lines. Lt Col James H. Kasler: Vietnam War fighter pilot and POW; only recipient of three awards. Capt Leland T. Kennedy: Vietnam War rescue helicopter pilot; recipient of two awards. Brig Gen Robin Olds: World War II and Vietnam War fighter pilot, triple ace. Col Ralph Parr: Korean War fighter ace, also a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross. A1C William H. Pitsenbarger: Pararescueman and the first enlisted recipient. Award later upgraded to Medal of Honor. MSgt Zachary Rhyner: a Combat Controller in the Battle of Shok Valley during the War in Afghanistan. 1st Lt Karl W. Richter: Fighter pilot killed in action in Vietnam. Col James Robinson Risner: Vietnam War fighter pilot and POW and first living recipient; received two awards. Maj R. Stephen Ritchie: USAF pilot ace of the Vietnam War. Retired as a brigadier general. Lt Col Ronald E. Storz, O-1 Bird Dog pilot and Vietnam War POW who died in captivity in 1970. Capt Dale E. Stovall: Vietnam War helicopter pilot who rescued Roger Locher from North Vietnam, flying further than any other SAR pilot. Retired as a brigadier general. Col Robert M. White: X-15 test pilot and F-105 commander.
^ USAF Air Force Cross Certificate for FLTLT Garry G. Cooper; actions 18 Aug 1968, signed 20 Mar 1981. Awarded 4 Dec 2021.
History & Changes Over Time
Originally entitled the "Distinguished Service Cross (Air Force)", the Air Force Cross was first proposed in 1947 after the creation of the USAF in September that year as an independent armed service. The medal was designed by Eleanor Cox, an employee of the USAF, and was sculpted by Thomas Hudson Jones of the U.S. Army Institute of Heraldry.
The Air Force Cross was established by Public Law (PL) 86-593 on 6 July 1960 and made effective through an amendment to Title 10 USC, Section 8742; July 6, 1960, by PL 86–593 in Chapter 857, Sections 8742, 8744 and 8745 of Title 10, USC to substitute "Air Force cross" for "Distinguished-service cross" and inserted "Air Force cross" in Sections 8748 and 8749. Prior to July 6, 1960, USAF airmen were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
Additional awards of the Air Force Cross are annotated by oak leaf clusters.
Criteria for award Title 10, Chapter 857, Section 8742. Air Force Cross: Award
"The President may award an Air Force cross of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force [or Space Force], distinguishes themselves by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor: (1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; (2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or (3) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party."
The medal is usually presented by the Secretary of the Air Force in a formal ceremony at the Pentagon.
^ "Air Force Cross". Archived from the original on 2012-09-15. Retrieved 2011-05-28.
^ "86th US Congress, 6 Jul 1960, Public Law 86-593" (PDF). US Congress. 6 July 1960. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-01-18.
^ a b c "Air Force Manual 36-2806, 10 June 2019. p. 64" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
^ Title 10 U.S.C., Chapter 857, Section 8742. Amended 1960, PL 86–593, S 1(7), 6 July 1960, 74 Stat. 332. Air Force cross: Award
^ "Air Force Cross". Air Force Link (USAF). Retrieved 18 October 2010.
^ "Title 10, Sub-Title D Air Force, Part II Personnel, Chapter 857 Awards and Decorations, §8744". Cornell University Law School. Retrieved 9 February 2009.
^ Title 10 U.S.C., Chapter 857, Section 8742. Air Force cross: Award
^ "Title 10, Sub-Title D Air Force, Part II Personnel, Chapter 857 Awards and Decorations, §8742". Cornell University Law School. Retrieved 8 February 2009.
