Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)

Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) is a military decoration awarded to officers, and since 1993 to warrant officers, of the Royal Air Force and other British Armed Forces for acts of valour, courage, or devotion to duty performed whilst flying in active operations against the enemy. Instituted in 1918 during the First World War, it has been awarded for subsequent conflicts including the Second World War, the Korean War, and various post-colonial campaigns. The award is the aerial counterpart to the Military Cross and sits alongside the Distinguished Flying Medal for other ranks.

History

The Distinguished Flying Cross was established on 3 June 1918 by King George V, shortly after the formation of the Royal Air Force in April of that year. Its creation recognised the need for a specific gallantry award for aerial combat, distinct from existing army and naval decorations like the Military Cross and the Distinguished Service Cross. During the First World War, it was awarded primarily to pilots and observers of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service for actions over the Western Front and other theatres. The award's scope was expanded during the Second World War, with thousands conferred for actions during the Battle of Britain, the RAF Bomber Command offensive, and campaigns in the Mediterranean and Far East. It remains a current award, having been presented for service in conflicts such as the Falklands War, the Gulf War, and the War in Afghanistan.

Criteria and award process

The award is granted for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy." Originally exclusive to commissioned officers of the Royal Air Force, eligibility was extended in 1941 to officers of the Fleet Air Arm and the Army Air Corps, and in 1993 to warrant officers. Recommendations are typically made by a commanding officer through Ministry of Defence channels, with final approval resting with the Sovereign on advice from the government. Subsequent acts of gallantry can be recognised by a bar to the cross, with a silver rosette worn on the ribbon when in undress uniform. The independent Distinguished Flying Medal for non-commissioned ranks was discontinued in 1993, after which all ranks became eligible for the DFC.

Description and design

The medal is a silver cross flory, 2.125 inches wide, designed by Edward Carter Preston. The obverse features, within a central roundel, the royal cypher of the reigning monarch; for example, the cypher of George VI or Elizabeth II. The reverse is plain, except for the year of issue engraved on the lower arm. The suspender is straight and decorated with laurel leaves. The ribbon, 1.25 inches wide, originally had horizontal violet and white stripes but was altered in July 1919 to the current diagonal pattern of alternate violet and white stripes, sloping at 45 degrees from left to right. A silver bar, bearing an eagle, is awarded for a further act, with a silver rosette worn on the ribbon.

Notable recipients

Many notable aviators have received the DFC, often with multiple bars. Among the most celebrated is Douglas Bader, the legless fighter pilot who received the award for his leadership during the Battle of Britain and the Channel Dash. Leonard Cheshire was awarded a DFC and three bars for his service with No. 617 Squadron during the bomber offensive. Johnnie Johnson, the highest-scoring Royal Air Force fighter pilot against the Luftwaffe in the Second World War, also received the cross. Other distinguished recipients include Guy Gibson of Dambusters fame, Adolf Galland of the Luftwaffe (honorary award), and Mick Mannock, a leading Royal Flying Corps ace of the First World War. More recent recipients include personnel from the RAF Regiment and helicopter crews from the Balkans and Middle East conflicts.

Order of wear

In the British honours system, the Distinguished Flying Cross has a specific place in the order of wear. It is positioned after the Distinguished Service Cross and before the Air Force Cross. When worn with other British decorations, it follows campaign medals like the 1939–1945 Star and the Atlantic Star, but precedes long service awards such as the Air Efficiency Award. For those entitled to multiple awards, a second or subsequent DFC is denoted by a bar on the ribbon, with no additional cross worn.

Category:Military awards and decorations of the United Kingdom Category:Royal Air Force awards and decorations Category:1918 establishments in the United Kingdom