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The Distinguished Flying Cross, created by Congress 80 years ago, is America’s oldest military aviation award.
The Distinguished Flying Cross was designed by Elizabeth Will and Arthur E.
Dubois both working at the Army’s Institute of Heraldry. It is a bronze cross
pattee, with rays between the arms of the cross. On the obverse is a propeller
of four blades, with one blade in each arm of the cross and in the re-entrant
angles of the cross are rays which form a square. The cross is suspended by
a rectangular-shaped bar and centered on this is a plain shield. The reverse
is blank and suitable for engraving the recipient’s name and rank.
The ribbon
has a narrow red center stripe, flanked on either side by a thin white stripe,
a wide stripe of dark blue, a narrow white stripe and narrow dark blue at the
edge of the ribbon.
The cross symbolizes sacrifice, and the propeller symbolizes
flight. The combination of those symbols makes clear that the DFC is an award
for heroism or achievement for individuals involved in aviation. The ribbon
reflects the national colors.
Subsequent awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross are indicated by oak-leaf
clusters for Army and Air Force personnel and by additional award stars for
members of the Naval services.
In World War I, aircraft proved their value for reconnaissance and as weapons
platforms. Pilots of those primitive flying machines showed both courage and
endurance in carrying out air missions. To recognize their gallantry, the Distinguished
Flying Cross was created.
The prime mover behind the DFC was Sen. Hiram Bingham of Connecticut. An air
power advocate and veteran World War I pilot, Bingham used his position as a
member of the Aircraft Board, to which President Calvin Coolidge had appointed
him, to propose that Congress create an aviation award “for heroism or outstanding
achievement.”
Bingham’s colleagues agreed and established the Distinguished Flying Cross on
July 2, 1926. By law, the new decoration could be awarded to anyone in the Air
Corps of the Army, Navy or Marine Corps after April 6, 1917, who “distinguished
himself by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial
flight.”
There were three interesting aspects to the law. First, DFC awards could be retroactive
to the start of World War I, permitting the Army and Navy to recognize aviators
who had been among the earliest pioneers. Second, the decoration was not restricted
to combat heroism. Instead, the focus was aerial achievement, in war or peace.
The DFC could be awarded to fliers who were setting distance and endurance records.
Third, a military decoration had been created for the first time to have an identical
medal, ribbon and award criteria for all service branches.
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. 5 weeks before the medal was
struck.
The
first recipient of the DFC medal was Charles A. Lindbergh, then a captain in
the Army Reserve on 11 June, 1927. The award recognized his 1927 transatlantic
crossing in the Spirit of St. Louis.
But the earliest aviation event for which
the new award was presented was Orville and Wilbur Wright’s first powered flight
at Kitty Hawk, N.C., on Dec. 17, 1903. Because the law permitted only awards
for aerial events after 1917, Congress passed special legislation by the President
and Act of Congress, to Orville Wright and Wilbur Wright (posthumous), Washington
D.C., Feb. 23, 1929 and authorized the Wrights’ DFC.
Although the law states a recipient must be “serving” with the military, a number
of awards were made to early civilian aviation pioneers, one being Amelia Earhart.
Awards to civilians came to an end when President Calvin Coolidge signed an executive
order prohibiting them in 1927.
No one knows how many DFC’s were awarded but The Distinguished Flying Cross Society
has over 4,500 recipient members with possibly thousands more eligible to join
our prestigious and elite Society.
During wartime, members of the Armed Forces of friendly foreign nations serving
with the United States are eligible for the D.F.C. It is also given to those
who display heroism while working as instructors or students at flying schools.
Examples of the gallantry for which the Distinguished Flying Cross
is awarded:
WWII
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS to JOHN O. MERRILL, First Lieutenant, 387th Bomb Group, 9th Air Force, United States Army Air Corps, First Lieutenant John O. Merrill distinguished himself by heroism while participating in aerial flights as a B-26 pilot, 387th Bomb Group, 9th Air Force, Mayen, Germany, on 24 February 1945. On that date, while flying the lead formation with three aircrafts at an altitude of approximately 9,000 feet, his plane sustained a direct enemy antiaircraft hit. The right engine and wing caught fire, crippling his aircraft. Undaunted Lieutenant Merrill retained his composure and continued to operate the remaining controls of his plane with such skill and efficiency that he succeeded in holding thee aircraft on a level keel. Although rapidly losing speed and altitude, he completed the bomb run, ensuring his bombs were released on target. He then gave orders to his crew members to bail out. He continued to control the position of the aircraft in order to permit crew members to save their own lives, with total disregard for his own safety. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Merrill reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Corps
VietNam
RODGER L. McAlister, First Lieutenant, United States Army, awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary heroism in action on 18 December 1966, while leading a section of aerial rocket artillery helicopters on a medical evacuation cover mission, in the Republic of Vietnam. The intended pick-up zone was surrounded by enemy automatic weapons positions, making it extremely dangerous for the medical helicopter to land. Using his own aircraft as a target for the hostile fire, Lieutenant McAlister led the medical helicopter into the area. Boldly flying into the face of the enemy, he was immediately taken under fire from three directions. His action diverted the enemy's attention, and the medical helicopter was able to land and board casualties. In order to get the heavily loaded aircraft out of the pick- up zone, he again flew low over the enemy positions, exposing himself to heavy fire. Once again the decoy maneuver was successful and the medical helicopter was able to depart the area without sustaining casualties. He then braved the hostile fire for a third time to engage the enemy with rocket and machine gun fire, succeeding to destroy two of the positions. Lieutenant McAlister's courage and determination under fire stand in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army. Rodger L. McAlister is a member of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society.
Iraq
Captain Armando Espinoza, United States Marine Corps, is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Helicopter Aircraft Commander in a two-plane section of CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters while attached to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 26B, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3D Marine Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 10 April 2003. Captain Espinoza provided multiple day and night casualty evacuation missions in support of 1st Battalion, 5th Marines' attack into Baghdad. His ability to tactically maneuver his helicopter in urban areas and maintain flawless situational awareness, helped render the enemy's attack ineffective. Landing under enemy fire, he loaded casualties while the lead aircraft provided suppressive fires. He departed the zone while returning fire and conducting evasive maneuvering enroute. He made four repeated trips in order to ensure the evacuation of all wounded personnel. His leadership, situational awareness, and calm presence under fire ensured the safe evacuation of 28 Marines and a family of seven Iraqi nationals. By his superb airmanship, inspiring courage, and loyal devotion to duty in the face of hazardous flying conditions, Captain Espinoza reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. Armando Espinoza is a member of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society & is presently on his third combat tour in Iraq.
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