Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Distinguished Flying Cross
Obverse of the decoration.
Type	Military decoration
Eligibility	British, Commonwealth, and allied forces
Awarded for	... exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy in the air.
Status	Currently awarded
Statistics
Established	3 June 1918
Order of Wear
Next (higher)	Military Cross
Next (lower)	Air Force Cross
Related	Distinguished Flying Medal
Ribbon: No bars 1918-1919: horizontal alternate white and purple stripes 1919-current: Diagonal alternate white and purple stripes

Ribbon bar for a 2nd award

The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) is a special military award. It is given to people in the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other British armed forces. Before 1993, it was mainly for officers. Now, it can be given to any rank.

This award is for showing great bravery and courage while flying in battles against an enemy. It is considered the third-highest award for bravery in the air.

History of the DFC

The Distinguished Flying Cross was created on June 3, 1918. This was soon after the Royal Air Force (RAF) was formed. At first, it was given to RAF officers and warrant officers. It was also given to officers from other Commonwealth countries and allied forces.

In 1941, Navy officers who flew planes could also receive it. In 1942, Army officers who flew for the RAF became eligible too. Since 1979, the award can even be given to someone after they have passed away.

In 1993, the rules for military awards changed. The DFC could then be given to people of all ranks. Before this, a different medal, the Distinguished Flying Medal, was given to non-officers. That medal was stopped. The DFC now recognizes "exemplary gallantry" (amazing bravery) during air operations against an enemy.

Many Commonwealth countries used to give out the DFC. But by the 1990s, countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand started their own awards. So, they no longer suggested British awards like the DFC.

Today, the DFC is the third-highest award for bravery in the air for all British armed forces. It is for actions that are not quite at the level for the Victoria Cross or the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. These two are even higher awards for bravery. Most DFC awards are announced in the London Gazette, which is an official newspaper.

If someone receives the DFC more than once, a special bar is added to the ribbon. This bar shows they have earned the award again. When the ribbon is worn alone, a silver flower shape (rosette) is added for each bar. People who receive the DFC can use the letters "DFC" after their name.

What the DFC Looks Like

The DFC medal was designed by Edward Carter Preston. It is a cross shape, about 2.125 inches (54 mm) wide. It has bumps on the bottom and side arms, and a rose on the top arm.

On the front of the medal, you can see airplane propellers. These are placed over the vertical parts of the cross. There are also wings on the horizontal parts. In the middle, there is a circle of laurel leaves. Inside this circle is the RAF symbol. Above it is a crown, like the one worn by a king or queen.

The back of the medal is plain. It has the reigning monarch's special symbol (cypher) and the year '1918'. At first, the medals did not have the recipient's name. From 1939, the year it was given was engraved on the back. Since 1984, the recipient's name has been engraved on the medal.

The ribbon that holds the medal is straight and decorated with laurel leaves. If someone gets another award, a silver bar is added to the ribbon. This bar has the RAF eagle in the middle. During World War II, the year of the award was engraved on the back of these bars.

The ribbon itself is 1.25 inches (32 mm) wide. It used to be white with wide purple stripes going straight across. But in 1919, it changed. Now, it is white with wide purple stripes going diagonally.

Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon bars
	DFC	DFC and Bar	DFC and Two Bars
1918–1919
since 1919

Who Received the DFC

How Many Awards?

From 1918 to 2017, about 22,322 Distinguished Flying Crosses were given out. Also, 1,737 bars were awarded for second or third awards. The table below shows the numbers up to 1979:

Between 1980 and 2017, about 80 more DFCs were awarded. These include awards for conflicts like the Falklands, Gulf, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Two second-award bars and one third-award bar were also given.

Many DFCs went to people from Commonwealth countries. For example, 4,460 DFCs went to Canadians. This includes 256 first bars and six second bars. Australians received 2,391 DFCs, with 144 first bars and five second bars, from 1918 to 1972. Over 1,000 DFCs were given to New Zealanders during World War II. New Zealand replaced the DFC with their own award in 1999.

About 1,022 honorary awards were given to members of allied foreign forces. This includes people from the US Air Force during the Korean War and the US Marine Corps during the Iraq War.

Famous People Who Received the DFC

Many brave individuals have received the Distinguished Flying Cross. Here are a few notable examples:

• King Albert I of Belgium: He often flew in British planes during World War I to check on enemy positions.
• Wing Commander Douglas Rivers Bagnall: He also received the American DFC.
• John Balmer: An RAAF pilot.
• Wing Commander Clive Beadon: A pilot during World War II.
• Roy Calvert: A Royal New Zealand Air Force pilot who earned the DFC three times.
• Major General Levi R. Chase: An American flying ace who received the DFC with a bar.
• Major William Chesarek: A United States Marine Corps helicopter pilot. He rescued a British serviceman in 2006 during the Iraq War.
• Flight Lieutenant Pierre Clostermann: A French RAF officer who received the DFC and a bar in 1945.
• Harry Cobby: A flying ace from the Australian Flying Corps who earned the DFC three times.
• Gordon Cochrane: A RNZAF pilot who earned the DFC three times.
• Peter Stanley James: An RAF pilot. In 1941, he took part in a raid on a German battleship.
• Philip Robinson: An RAF pilot who earned the DFC three times.
• Squadron Leader George Leonard Johnson: A navigator who was part of 'Operation Chastise'.
• Keith 'Bluey' Truscott: A famous footballer and RAAF pilot who earned the DFC twice.
• Arjan Singh: From the Indian Air Force. He later became a very high-ranking officer.
• Mohinder Singh Pujji: From the Indian Air Force.
• Group Captain Peter Townsend: An RAF flying ace and a royal aide. He served King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.
• Harold Whistler: A Royal Flying Corps flying ace who earned the DFC three times.
• Wing Commander Robert Stanford Tuck: A Royal Air Force flying ace who earned the DFC three times.
• Squadron Leader Stuart Mitchell: The only tanker pilot to receive the DFC. This was for his actions in the Bosnia campaign.
• Flight Lieutenant Michelle Jayne Goodman: The first female officer to receive any British combat bravery medal.

See also

In Spanish: Cruz de Vuelo Distinguido (Reino Unido) para niños

• Commonwealth Realms orders and decorations