Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)

Air Force Cross (United Kingdom). The Air Force Cross (AFC) is a military decoration awarded to officers, and since 1993 to warrant officers, of the British Armed Forces, and formerly also to officers of the other Commonwealth countries. It is granted for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy." Instituted on 3 June 1918, shortly after the formation of the Royal Air Force, it was originally awarded to commissioned officers of the Royal Air Force for acts of gallantry while flying on non-operational missions.

History

The Air Force Cross was established on 3 June 1918 by King George V, alongside the Air Force Medal, to recognise acts of gallantry by commissioned officers and warrant officers of the newly formed Royal Air Force during non-operational flying. Its creation followed the precedent of the Distinguished Flying Cross, which was for operational gallantry, and filled a gap in the honours system. The award was extended to the Royal Navy and the British Army for aircrew in 1941. Following a 1993 review of the British honours system, the AFC was made available to all ranks, though it remains predominantly an officer's award. The cross has been awarded throughout major conflicts including the Second World War, the Korean War, and the Falklands War, as well as in peacetime for test flying, search and rescue, and other hazardous duties.

Criteria

The Air Force Cross is awarded for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy." This distinguishes it from the Distinguished Flying Cross, which is awarded for gallantry during active operations. Eligible acts typically involve exceptional skill, leadership, or dedication in the face of extreme danger during non-wartime flying. This includes test flying experimental aircraft, pioneering new aviation routes, conducting perilous aerial survey work, and executing dangerous search and rescue missions. Since 1993, all ranks of the British Armed Forces have been eligible, and awards can be made posthumously. Subsequent acts of gallantry can be recognised by a bar to the cross.

Description

The Air Force Cross is a silver cross pattée, 60mm high and 54mm wide, with the finials of the arms joined by a silver wreath of laurel leaves. The obverse depicts Hermes riding a hawk in flight, bestowing a laurel wreath, within a circular wreath of laurel. The reverse is plain, except for the royal cypher of the reigning monarch and the year '1918' on the lower arm. The cross is suspended by a straight silver bar ornamented with eagle's wings. The ribbon is 32mm wide, with alternating diagonal stripes of red and white, leaning 45 degrees to the left. A silver rosette is worn on the ribbon in undress uniform to denote the award of a bar. The design was created by the medallist Edward Carter Preston.

Recipients

Approximately 20,500 Air Force Crosses have been awarded since its inception. Recipients have primarily been officers of the Royal Air Force, but also include many from the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy and the Army Air Corps. Notable early recipients include pilots involved in pioneering long-distance flights and Arctic exploration. During the Second World War, thousands of awards were made to instructors, ferry pilots, and aircrew on transport and reconnaissance duties. Commonwealth air forces, such as the Royal Australian Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force, had their own versions of the award until the 1990s. The cross is also awarded to members of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

Notable awards

Several individuals have been awarded the Air Force Cross on multiple occasions. Group Captain Hughie Idwal Edwards, a Royal Australian Air Force officer, received the AFC in addition to the Victoria Cross. Wing Commander Ken Wallis was awarded the AFC for his work developing and flying autogyros, including for James Bond films. Squadron Leader Johnnie Johnson, the Royal Air Force's top fighter ace against the Luftwaffe, received the AFC for his post-war service. Test pilot Janusz Żurakowski was awarded the AFC for his work on aircraft like the Avro Arrow. In 1982, Squadron Leader Bob Iveson received the AFC for landing a Harrier Jump Jet on the damaged flight deck of HMS *Hermes* during the Falklands War. Civilian pilots serving with the Air Transport Auxiliary during the Second World War, such as Amy Johnson, were also eligible for the award. Category:Military awards and decorations of the United Kingdom Category:Royal Air Force awards and honours