Air Force Cross (United States)

Air Force Cross
U.S. Air Force Cross
Awarded by Department of the Air Force
Type	Military medal (Decoration)
Eligibility	Persons serving in the U.S. Air Force
Awarded for	"Extraordinary heroism not justifying the Medal of Honor while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States."
Status	Currently awarded
Statistics
Established	July 6, 1960
First awarded	January 8, 1964
Last awarded	May 6, 2015
Total awarded	197
Posthumous awards	50
Distinct recipients	192
Precedence
Next (higher)	Medal of Honor
Equivalent	Army: Distinguished Service Cross Navy-Marine Corps: Navy Cross Coast Guard: Coast Guard Cross
Next (lower)	Distinguished Service Medals: Department of Defense, Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard
Service ribbon

The Air Force Cross is the second highest military award that can be given to a member of the United States Air Force. The Air Force Cross is the Air Force decoration equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross (Army), the Navy Cross (Navy and Marine Corps), and the Coast Guard Cross (Coast Guard).

The Air Force Cross is awarded for extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of the Medal of Honor. It may be awarded to any individual who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S Air Force, distinguishes him or herself by extraordinary heroism in combat.

Originally entitled the "Distinguished Service Cross (Air Force)", the Air Force Cross was first proposed in 1947 after the creation of the United States Air Force as a separate armed service. The medal was designed by Eleanor Cox, an employee of the Air Force, and was sculpted by Thomas Hudson Jones of the Institute of Heraldry. The Air Force Cross was established by Congress in Public Law 88-593 on July 6, 1960, amending Section 8742 of Title 10, U.S. Code to change the designation of "Distinguished Service Cross" to "Air Force Cross" in case of awards made under Air Force Authority.

Additional awards of the Air Force Cross are annotated by oak leaf clusters, and the reverse of every Air Force Cross is engraved with the recipient's name.

Title 10, 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, distinguishes himself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor:

The Air Force Cross consists of a bronze cross with an oxidized satin finish. Centered on the obverse of the cross is a gold-plated American bald eagle, wings displayed against a cloud formation, (as used on the seal of the Air Force). This design is encircled by a laurel wreath in green enamel, edged in gold. The reverse of the cross is blank and suitable for engraving.