Air Force Cross (United States)

United States Air and Space Forces service cross medal

Award

Air Force Cross

Type| Service cross medal
Awarded for| Extraordinary heroism in combat
Presented by| United States Department of the Air Force[1][2]
Eligibility| United States Air Force airmen and United States Space Force guardians[3]
Status| Currently awarded
Established| November 1, 1965, effective July 6, 1960[1]
First award| January 8, 1964[4]
Final award| December 10, 2020[5]
Total| 203[6]
Total awarded posthumously| 50
Total recipients| 198

Service ribbon

Precedence
Next (higher)| Medal of Honor
Equivalent| Army: Distinguished Service Cross
Naval Service: Navy Cross
Coast Guard: Coast Guard Cross
Next (lower)| Department of Defense: Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Department of Homeland Security: Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal

The Air Force Cross (AFC) is the United States Air Force and United States Space Force's second highest military decoration for airmen and guardians who distinguish themselves with extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force.[7] The medal is awarded to any person, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force or Space Force, 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 U.S. Army's Distinguished Service Cross, Naval Service's Navy Cross, and Coast Guard Cross. Prior to July 6, 1960, members of the Air Force were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

## Origins

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Originally entitled the "Distinguished Service Cross (Air Force)",[8] the Air Force Cross was first proposed in 1947 after the creation of the United States Air Force in September that year as an independent armed service. The medal was designed by Eleanor Cox, an employee of the Air Force, 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[9] on 6 July 1960 and made effective through an amendment to Title 10 USC, Section 8742;[1] 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.[10][11] Prior to July 6, 1960, United States Air Force airmen were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[1]

Additional awards of the Air Force Cross are annotated by oak leaf clusters.[12]

### Criteria for award

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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:[13]

* while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
* while engaged in military operations involving conflict with 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.[13][14]

The medal is usually presented by the Secretary of the Air Force in a formal ceremony at the Pentagon.[1]

## Description

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The medal consists of a bronze cross with an oxidized satin finish. Centered on the cross is a gold-plated American bald eagle, wings displayed against a cloud formation (from the crest of the Department of the Air Force Seal)[1][15] encircled by a laurel wreath finished in green enamel. The reverse side of the medal is blank and may be engraved in capital letters with the recipient's rank (abbreviated), first name, middle initial, last name and branch of service.[11]

The ribbon (and service ribbon) is brittany blue, edged with red, and bears a narrow white vertical stripe inside the red edges. The ribbon is almost identical to that of the Army's Distinguished Service Cross, except for the lighter blue center stripe, indicating the close connection of these awards.[11]

## Awards

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The first award of the Air Force Cross was made posthumously to Air Force Major Rudolf Anderson, an U-2 pilot, for extraordinary heroism during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.[11]

As of October 2017 there had been 202 awards of the Air Force Cross to 197 individuals. Three were retroactively awarded for actions in World War II.[16] One hundred eighty were awarded for heroism in the Vietnam War,[17] and four for heroism during the 1975 Mayagüez Incident immediately following (these are sometimes counted with the Vietnam War awards).[18] Two were awarded for the 1991 Gulf War; one, to USAF Pararescueman Timothy Wilkinson, for the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia, and three were awarded for heroism during Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan in 2002, two to USAF Pararescuemen Keary Miller and Jason Cunningham and one to special tactics Technical Sergeant John Chapman, a combat controller. One was awarded to combat controller Zachary Rhyner for actions in the Shok Valley, Afghanistan on April 6, 2008.[19] Another was awarded to USAF Pararescueman MSgt Ivan Ruiz for heroism in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, Dec. 10, 2013.[20]

On October 17, 2017, the Air Force Cross was awarded to Staff Sergeant Richard Hunter, for actions against the Taliban in Kunduz province Afghanistan on November 2, 2016.[21]

On April 20, 2017, SSgt Chris Baradat was presented with the Air Force Cross for his actions in the Sono Valley, Kunar province, on April 6, 2013, while serving as a QRF Combat Controller with the 21st Expeditionary Special Tactics Squadron.[22]

On September 21, 2020, a combat controller, not named, was awarded the Air Force Cross, for actions during the Battle of Khasham.[23]

Fifty awards have been posthumous, including 30 to members missing in action. Twenty-four have been awarded to enlisted personnel, including 12 Pararescuemen. Seventeen graduates of the United States Air Force Academy have been presented the award, and 13 were awarded for conduct while a prisoner of war.

There have been five multiple recipients:

* James H. Kasler (three awards)
* John A. Dramesi (two awards)
* Leland T. Kennedy (two awards)
* Robinson Risner (two awards)
* Garry Gordon Cooper (two awards)

## Notable recipients

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SSgt Zachary Rhyner receiving the Air Force Cross from Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley.

* Maj Rudolf Anderson Jr.: First recipient, posthumously awarded for valor during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
* 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.[24]
* 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.

## See also

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* Combat Action Medal

## References

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1. ^ a b c d e f "Air Force Manual 36-2806, 10 June 2019. p. 64" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
2. ^ "DOD Instruction 1348.33, DoD Military Decorations and Awards Program" (PDF). Executive Services Directorate. March 29, 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 29, 2018. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
3. ^ "H.R.6395 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021". January 2021.
4. ^ "Major Rudolf Anderson, Jr". Air Force Link (USAF). Archived from the original on 3 March 2009. Retrieved 9 February 2009.
5. ^ "'A tribute to persistence:' SecAF presents Air Force Cross to special tactics Airman". U.S. Air Force, News. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
6. ^ Including 2 upgraded awards (2016)
7. ^ Air Force Instruction 36-2803 Table 2.1: "e-publishing.af.mil" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-02-16. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
8. ^ "Air Force Cross". Archived from the original on 2012-09-15. Retrieved 2011-05-28.
9. ^ "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.
10. ^ 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
11. ^ a b c d "Air Force Cross". Air Force Link (USAF). Retrieved 18 October 2010.
12. ^ "Title 10, Sub-Title D Air Force, Part II Personnel, Chapter 857 Awards and Decorations, §8744". Cornell University Law School. Retrieved 9 February 2009.
13. ^ a b Title 10 U.S.C., Chapter 857, Section 8742. Air Force cross: Award
14. ^ "Title 10, Sub-Title D Air Force, Part II Personnel, Chapter 857 Awards and Decorations, §8742". Cornell University Law School. Retrieved 8 February 2009.
15. ^ United States Air Force Seal, 3. Crest
16. ^ "Air Force Cross (AC) - TracesOfWar.com". www.tracesofwar.com.
17. ^ There were actually 182 awards during the Vietnam War, but two, to Airman William H. Pitsenbarger, and Chief Master Sergeant Richard Etchberger were later upgraded to the Medal of Honor.
18. ^ "Vietnam War and Mayagüez Incident Air Force Cross Recipients" (PDF).
19. ^ Ramsey, John, "Airman Gets Medal For Valor", Fayetteville Observer, March 11, 2009, p. 1.
20. ^ Maj. Craig Savage, AFSOC Public Affairs /"PJ’s extraordinary heroism earns Air Force Cross"/Published December 17, 2014
21. ^ "SecAF awards Air Force Cross, 10 medals to Air Commandos". U.S. Air Force. Retrieved 2017-10-18.
22. ^ "Christopher Baradat's Air Force Cross". Air Force Magazine. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
23. ^ Rempfer, Kyle [@kyle_rempfer] (1 June 2024). "A JSOC operator received the Air Force Cross for the battle [of Khasham] \- 2nd only to the Medal of Honor. Doesn't appear the DoD ever publicized it" (Tweet) - via Twitter. Recipient's name is redacted in the released information.
24. ^ USAF Air Force Cross Certificate for FLTLT Garry G. Cooper; actions 18 Aug 1968, signed 20 Mar 1981. Awarded 4 Dec 2021.

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Air Force Cross (United States).

* Alphabetical recipients list, Home of the Heroes Archived 2018-07-17 at the Wayback Machine
* Listing of Vietnam War Air Force Cross recipients
* "Air Force Cross Awarded 40 Years Late", Air Force Times, March 31, 2008

* v
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Awards and decorations of the United States Department of the Air Force

Decorations|

* Medal of Honor
* Air Force Cross
* Distinguished Service
* Silver Star Medal
* Legion of Merit
* Distinguished Flying Cross
* Airman's Medal
* Bronze Star Medal
* Purple Heart
* Meritorious Service Medal
* Air Medal
* Aerial Achievement
* Air and Space Commendation
* Air and Space Achievement

Unit awards|

* Presidential Unit Citation
* Gallant Unit Citation
* Meritorious Unit
* Air and Space Outstanding Unit
* Air and Space Organizational Excellence

Service medals|

* Combat Action Medal
* Combat Readiness
* Air Force Good Conduct
* Space Force Good Conduct
* Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal
* Air and Space Campaign
* Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal

Service ribbons|

* Outstanding Airman of the Year
* Air and Space Recognition
* Overseas Service Short Tour
* Overseas Service Long Tour
* Air and Space Expeditionary Service
* Air and Space Longevity
* Developmental Special Duty
* NCO PME Graduate
* Basic Training Honor Graduate
* Marksmanship
* Air and Space Training

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