The Distinguished Flying Cross Society is a 501(c)19 nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation, perpetuation, and publication of the history and traditions of the men and women who served in all Military Services worldwide and who have been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross as a result of deeds accomplished during aerial flight. The Society received its nonprofit status from the California Secretary of State and internal Revenue Service in June '94 and does not provide goods or services in whole or part in consideration for donations.

VISION STATEMENT

Our vision is to preserve and grow The Distinguished Flying Cross Society (DFCS) as America’s champion of the one military medal awarded to aviators for heroism and/or extraordinary achievement during aerial flight. The Society is a unique organization in that it represents all five military services, all wars and campaigns from World War I forward, all ranks, all aviation crew positions, and both genders. The Society educates the general public and enhances public records by documenting, publishing, and presenting the history of the DFC medal and its recipients. DFCS fosters fellowship among its members and creates innovative plans for securing funding for future programs and growth. The Society takes great pride in aviation and space exploration, as an American and global treasure.

Unfortunately, the government did not keep a cumulative record of DFC recipients, therefore no one knows how many have been awarded or to whom. We do know that the first Distinguished Flying Cross award citations were presented to the Pan American Flight crew on 2 May, 1927 by President Coolidge, for their five ship, 22,000 mile flight.

President Coolidge presented the first Distinguished Flying Cross medal, on 11 June, 1927, to Captain Charles A. Lindbergh of the Army Corps Reserve for his solo flight of 3600 miles across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927, a feat which electrified the world and "Lindy" one of America's most popular heroes. The first Distinguished Flying Cross awarded to a Navy man was to Commander Richard E. Byrd of the Navy Air Corps for his exciting flight to and from the North Pole. Both of these famous aviators also received the Medal of Honor. The aviatrix, Amelia Earhart, was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. At the time hers was the first such award to a civilian. An executive order in March 1927 ruled that the Distinguished Flying Cross should not be conferred on civilians.

Our Society was not founded until 1994 and is composed or DFC recipients who either joined the Society or whose loved ones made them members posthumously and their names are listed on our Honor Roll in perpetuity. The names listed in red have a hotlink that when clicked on will display that members’ DFC citation.

The Distinguished Flying Cross Society is pleased to award four $1000.00 scholarships each school year. Applicants must be descendants (or legally adopted children) of DFC Society members who are pursuing an undergraduate degree at an accredited institution of higher education.

If you need to request military records or medal replacements follow the hotlink. You can print a membership application or sign our Guestbook, read our latest DFC News Magazine or view pictures of memorial dedications or past reunions on-line.

Please view the two DFC Minute videos linked at the bottom of each page throughout the website.
For those members who would like to have their DFC Minute professionally done by our Historian Dr. Barry Lanman please contact him directly.


View the remarks to The Distinguished Flying Cross Society and San Diego Air & Space Museum attendees, by The Honorable Anthony J. Principi, Honorary Member of The Distinguished Flying Cross Society.

Distinguished Flying Cross painting by Ruth Mayer ORDER FORM