Air Force Cross

Air Force Cross. The Air Force Cross is the second-highest military decoration awarded by the United States Air Force, ranking below the Medal of Honor and above the Distinguished Service Cross (United States). It is awarded to any United States Air Force personnel who distinguish themselves by extraordinary heroism in combat in connection with military operations against an opposing foreign force, or 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, as recognized by the United States Department of Defense. The Air Force Cross is equivalent to the Navy Cross and the Distinguished Service Cross (United States), and is awarded for actions that are of a lesser degree than those required for the Medal of Honor, but above those required for the Silver Star Medal and the Legion of Merit.

● History of

the Air Force Cross The Air Force Cross was established by United States Congress on July 6, 1960, with the first awards being made retroactive to July 1, 1954, and to United States Air Force personnel who had been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (United States) for actions after May 10, 1949, and before July 1, 1954. The first recipient of the Air Force Cross was Chesley Sullenberger, who was awarded the decoration for his actions during the Berlin Blockade, but the award was later upgraded to the Distinguished Flying Cross. Other notable recipients include Curtis LeMay, Carl Spaatz, and Ira Eaker, who were all awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for their actions during World War II. The Air Force Cross has been awarded to personnel serving in various conflicts, including the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War, as well as in support of North Atlantic Treaty Organization operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.

● Eligibility and Criteria

The Air Force Cross is awarded to any United States Air Force personnel who distinguish themselves by extraordinary heroism in combat in connection with military operations against an opposing foreign force, or 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 award is made to those who have performed an act of extraordinary heroism, at the risk of life, and beyond the call of duty, while engaged in action against an enemy of the United States. The award is typically made to those who have been awarded the Silver Star Medal or the Legion of Merit, but the actions of the recipient must be of a higher degree than those required for these awards. The Air Force Cross is also awarded to personnel who have been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for actions that are of a higher degree than those required for this award.

● Notable Recipients

Notable recipients of the Air Force Cross include John McCain, James Stockdale, and Norman Schwartzkopf Jr., who were all awarded the decoration for their actions during the Vietnam War. Other notable recipients include Chuck Yeager, Bob Hoover, and Scott Crossfield, who were all awarded the decoration for their actions during the Korean War and the Cold War. The Air Force Cross has also been awarded to personnel serving in support of United Nations operations, including Boutros Boutros-Ghali and Kofi Annan, who were both awarded the decoration for their actions during the Somali Civil War. Other notable recipients include George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and Colin Powell, who were all awarded the decoration for their actions during the Gulf War.

● Appearance and Wear

The Air Force Cross is a bronze cross with a United States Air Force eagle in the center, and is suspended from a ribbon with a broad United States Air Force blue stripe in the center, flanked by narrower stripes of United States Air Force gold and white. The award is typically worn on the left side of the uniform, below the Medal of Honor and above the Distinguished Service Cross (United States). The Air Force Cross is also authorized for wear by personnel who have been awarded the Navy Cross or the Distinguished Service Cross (United States), and is considered equivalent to these awards for purposes of wear and display.

● Equivalent Awards

The Air Force Cross is equivalent to the Navy Cross and the Distinguished Service Cross (United States), and is considered a higher award than the Silver Star Medal and the Legion of Merit. The award is also equivalent to the Distinguished Service Medal, which is awarded to personnel of the United States Army and the United States Navy for actions that are of a lesser degree than those required for the Medal of Honor. The Air Force Cross is also considered equivalent to the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, which is awarded by the United Kingdom to personnel of the British Armed Forces for actions that are of a similar degree to those required for the Air Force Cross.

● Recipient Statistics

As of 2022, a total of 197 United States Air Force personnel have been awarded the Air Force Cross, including 142 awards made during the Vietnam War and 25 awards made during the Korean War. The award has also been made to personnel serving in support of North Atlantic Treaty Organization operations, including 10 awards made during the Bosnian War and 5 awards made during the Kosovo War. The Air Force Cross has been awarded to personnel from all branches of the United States Armed Forces, including the United States Army, the United States Navy, and the United States Marine Corps, as well as to personnel from allied nations, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Category:Military awards and decorations of the United States