Distinguished Flying Cross
1. Description: A bronze cross patee on
which is superimposed a four-bladed propeller, 1 11/16 inches in width. Five
rays extended from the reentrant angles, forming a one-inch square. The medal is
suspended from a rectangular shaped bar.
2. Ribbon: The ribbon is
1 3/8 inches wide and consists of the following stripes: 3/32 inch Ultramarine
Blue 67118; 9/64 inch White 67101; 11/32 inch Ultramarine Blue 67118; 3/64 inch
White 67101; center stripe 3/32 inch Old Glory Red 67156; 3/64 inch White 67101;
11/32 inch Ultramarine Blue 67118; 9/64 inch White 67101; 3/32 inch Ultramarine
Blue 67118.
3. Criteria:
The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded to any person who, while serving in
any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States, distinguishes himself
by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight.
The performance of the act of heroism must be evidenced by voluntary action
above and beyond the call of duty. The extraordinary achievement must have
resulted in an accomplishment so exceptional and outstanding as to clearly set
the individual apart from his comrades or from other persons in similar
circumstances. Awards will be made only to recognize single acts of heroism or
extraordinary achievement and will not be made in recognition of sustained
operational activities against an armed enemy.
4. Components:
The following are authorized components of the Distinguished Flying Cross:
a. Decoration
(regular size): MIL-D-3943/15. NSN 8455-00-269-5748 for decoration set. NSN
8455-00-246-3826 for individual replacement medal.
b. Decoration
(miniature size): MIL-D-3943/15. NSN 8455-00-996-5006.
c. Ribbon:
MIL-R-11589/47. NSN 8455-00-252-9967.
d.
Lapel Button (metal replica of ribbon): MIL-L-11484/11.
NSN 8455-00-253-0807.
5. Background:
a. The Distinguished Flying Cross was established in the Air Corps Act (Act of
Congress, 2 July 1926, Public Law No. 446, 69th Congress). This act
provided for award "to any person, while serving in any capacity with the
Air Corps of the Army of the United States, including the National Guard and the
Organized Reserves, or with the United States Navy, since the 6th day
of April 1917, has distinguished, or who, after the approval of this Act,
distinguishes himself by heroism or extraordinary achievement while
participating in an aerial flight."
b. Various designs from the
U.S. Mint, commercial artists, and the Office of the Quartermaster General, were
submitted to the Commission of Fine Arts and on 31 May 1927. The Commission
approved a design submitted by Mr. Arthur E. Dubois and Miss Elizabeth Will.
c. Initial awards of the
Distinguished Flying Cross were made to persons who made record breaking long
distance and endurance flights and who set altitude records. The Secretary of
War authorized the first Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Charles A.
Lindbergh in a letter dated 31 May 1927. With the support of the Secretary of
War, the Wright Brothers retroactively received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
This award required a special Act of Congress, since the law precluded award to
civilians.
d. The current statutory
requirements for award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Army personnel is
contained in Title 10, U.S.C., Section 3749; Section 6245 for Navy personnel;
and Section 8749 for Air Force personnel. Enlisted personnel may be entitled to
a 10% increase in retired pay under Title 10, U.S.C., Section 3991, when
credited with heroism equivalent to that required for the award of the
Distinguished Service Cross.
e. Order of precedence and
wear of decorations is contained in Army Regulation 670-1. Policy for awards,
approving authority, supply, and issue of decorations is contained in Army
Regulation 600-8-22.
