Air Force Cross (United States)

Originally entitled the "Distinguished Service Cross (Air Force)",[6] the Air Force Cross was first proposed in 1947 after the creation of the United States Air Force 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 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 by the Department of the Air Force.[7]

Additional awards of the Air Force Cross are annotated by oak leaf clusters,[8] and the reverse of every Air Force Cross is engraved with the recipient's name.

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 Department 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.[7]

The service ribbon has a very wide center stripe of Brittany blue with narrow stripes of white and red at the edges. The ribbon is almost identical to that of the Distinguished Service Cross, except for the lighter blue center stripe, indicating the close connection of these awards.[7]

The first award of that Air Force Cross was made posthumously to Major Rudolf Anderson, a U-2 pilot, for extraordinary heroism during the Cuban Missile Crisis.[7]

As of October 2017, there have been 202 awards of the Air Force Cross to 197 individuals. One award, the first made, was for actions in the Cuban Missile Crisis. Three were retroactively awarded for actions in World War II. [10] One hundred eighty were awarded for heroism in the Vietnam War,[11] and four for heroism during the 1975 Mayagüez Incident immediately following (these are sometimes counted with the Vietnam War awards). [12] Two were awarded for the 1991 Gulf War; one, to USAF Pararescueman Timothy Wilkinson, for the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia, and two were awarded for heroism during Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan in 2002, one to USAF Pararescueman 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.[13] Another was awarded to USAF Pararescueman MSgt Ivan Ruiz for heroism in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, Dec. 10, 2013.[14] 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.[15] SSgt Chris Baradat, a Combat Controller[16]

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 four multiple recipients:

• James H. Kasler (three awards)
• John A. Dramesi (two awards)
• Leland T. Kennedy (two awards)
• Robinson Risner (two awards)

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 7 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.
• 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 (6) MiG kills, the most of any U.S. aviator during the Vietnam War.
• Col John A. Dramesi: U.S.A.F. Vietnam POW. Lead the only organized escape from the Hanoi Hilton with Edwin Atterberry. The last living multiple recipient of the Air Force Cross.
• 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.
• 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.
• 1st Lt Karl W. Richter: Fighter pilot killed in action in Vietnam.
• Lt Col James Robinson Risner: Vietnam War fighter pilot and POW and first living recipient; received two awards.
• MSgt Zachary Rhyner: a Combat Controller in the Battle of Shok Valley during the War in Afghanistan.
• 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.
• Maj R. Stephen Ritchie: USAF pilot ace of the Vietnam War. Retired as a brigadier general.
• Col Robert M. White: X-15 test pilot and F-105 commander.

• Air Force Combat Action Medal

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

• Alphabetical recipients list, Home of the Heroes
• Listing of Vietnam War Air Force Cross recipients
• "Air Force Cross Awarded 40 Years Late", Air Force Times, March 31, 2008