Air Force Cross (US)
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The Air Force Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Air Force. The Air Force Cross equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross (Army) and the Navy Cross (Navy and Marine Corps).
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. In July 1960, the name of the decoration was officially changed to the Air Force Cross and the first decoration, under the medal’s new name, was awarded during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The Air Force Cross is awarded for extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of the Medal of Honor. It may be awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S Air Force, distinguishes him or herself by extraordinary heroism involving one of the following actions: (1) In action against an enemy of the United States; (2) While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; (3) 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.
Additional awards of the Air Force are annotated by oak leaf clusters. On the reverse of every Air Force Cross is an engraving of the recipient’s name.