Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)

Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
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Name	Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
Caption	Ribbon bar of the Distinguished Flying Cross
Awarded by	United Kingdom
Type	Military decoration
Eligibility	Officers and warrant officers of the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and British Army
Status	Currently awarded
Established	June 3, 1918
First award	1918
Last award	Ongoing
Total	Over 20,000 awards
Post nominals	DFC

Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom). The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to officers and warrant officers of the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and British Army for exceptional valour, skill, and devotion to duty while flying in active operations against the enemy. The award was established on June 3, 1918, by King George V, and the first awards were made in 1918 to Edward Mannock, James McCudden, and other notable Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service pilots. The Distinguished Flying Cross has been awarded to over 20,000 individuals, including Douglas Bader, Keith Park, and Hugh Dowding, who played significant roles in the Battle of Britain and other major Royal Air Force operations.

● History

The Distinguished Flying Cross was established during World War I, when the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service were engaged in intense air combat against the German Air Force and other enemy forces. The award was created to recognize the exceptional bravery and skill of pilots and observers who flew in active operations against the enemy, and it was first awarded to Edward Mannock, James McCudden, and other notable Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service pilots. During World War II, the Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded to thousands of Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and British Army personnel, including Douglas Bader, Keith Park, and Hugh Dowding, who played significant roles in the Battle of Britain and other major Royal Air Force operations. The award has also been made to personnel from other countries, including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, who have served with the Royal Air Force or other British Armed Forces units.

● Eligibility

The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded to officers and warrant officers of the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and British Army who have demonstrated exceptional valour, skill, and devotion to duty while flying in active operations against the enemy. The award is typically made to pilots, navigators, and other aircrew who have flown in combat missions, but it may also be awarded to personnel who have made significant contributions to the success of air operations, such as air traffic control officers, intelligence analysts, and maintenance personnel. The award is usually made to individuals who have served with the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, or British Army, but it may also be awarded to personnel from other countries who have served with British Armed Forces units, such as Australian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force, and Royal New Zealand Air Force personnel.

● Appearance

The Distinguished Flying Cross is a cross-shaped medal with a superimposed eagle in the centre, suspended from a ribbon with diagonal stripes of purple, white, and green. The medal is made of silver, and it bears the royal cypher of the reigning monarch on the reverse. The ribbon is worn with the purple stripe at the top, and it is typically worn on the left side of the chest, above other medals and decorations. The Distinguished Flying Cross is often awarded with a bar, which is a smaller version of the medal that is worn on the ribbon to indicate a second or subsequent award.

● Notable Recipients

The Distinguished Flying Cross has been awarded to many notable individuals, including Douglas Bader, Keith Park, and Hugh Dowding, who played significant roles in the Battle of Britain and other major Royal Air Force operations. Other notable recipients include Edward Mannock, James McCudden, and Albert Ball, who were all highly decorated Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service pilots during World War I. The award has also been made to Bomber Command personnel, such as Arthur Harris and Basil Embry, who played key roles in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany during World War II. Other notable recipients include Test pilots, such as Roland Beaumont and John Cunningham, who have made significant contributions to the development of military aircraft and aviation technology.

● Ceremony and Post-Nominals

The Distinguished Flying Cross is typically awarded at a formal ceremony, where the recipient is presented with the medal and a certificate by a senior Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, or British Army officer. The award is often announced in the London Gazette, which is the official publication of the British government. Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross are entitled to use the post-nominal letters DFC, which are typically included on official documents, such as passports and business cards. The award is also recognized by the British Armed Forces and other organizations, and it is often listed on curriculum vitae and other personal documents. The Distinguished Flying Cross is considered a highly prestigious award, and it is often worn on formal occasions, such as Remembrance Day and Armed Forces Day ceremonies, which are held to commemorate the sacrifices of military personnel and to recognize their service to the United Kingdom. Category:Military awards and decorations of the United Kingdom