Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Distinguished Flying Cross |
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The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) is a special military award given by the United States Armed Forces. It was created on July 2, 1926. This medal is given to people who show great bravery or amazing skill while flying an aircraft. This means doing something truly special, not just regular flying duties. Sometimes, military members from other friendly countries can also receive this award.
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History of the Distinguished Flying Cross
The first Distinguished Flying Cross was given out on May 2, 1927. President Calvin Coolidge honored ten pilots from the United States Army Air Corps. These pilots had flown across North and South America in a long journey. Two of them sadly died during the flight and received their awards after their death. At first, the pilots only got certificates because the actual medals had not been made yet.
About a month later, Charles Lindbergh received the first physical medal. President Coolidge gave it to him on June 11, 1927. This was after Lindbergh's famous solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean. The medal was quickly made just for this special event.
The first Navy pilot to get the DFC was Commander Richard E. Byrd. He received it for his flight across the Atlantic in 1927. Many famous people have received the DFC. This includes astronauts, actors, and even presidents like George H. W. Bush. The award can even be given for brave actions that happened a long time ago. For example, the Wright brothers received it for their first flight in 1903. Other civilians like Amelia Earhart also received it. Later, the award was only given to military members. Amelia Earhart was the first woman to receive the DFC in 1932. She got it for her solo flight across the Atlantic.
DFC in World War I and II
The only DFC for World War I was given out in 2017. It honored Army Captain James Ely Miller. He was the first American pilot in an American unit to die in that war.
During World War II, the rules for getting the DFC changed a lot. It depended on where the fighting was and what kind of missions were flown. Sometimes, officers got it, while enlisted soldiers received a different medal. Other times, whole crews got it for their overall good work. For example, George McGovern received one for safely landing his bomber after an engine failed. In 1944, Aleda E. Lutz became the first military woman to receive the DFC. She received it after her death.
What it Takes to Earn the DFC
The Distinguished Flying Cross was created by a law passed by Congress on July 2, 1926. It is given to anyone who shows "heroism or extraordinary achievement" while flying an aircraft. This means doing something truly outstanding and brave during a flight.
What the DFC Looks Like
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a bronze medal shaped like a cross. On the front, it has a four-bladed propeller. Five rays (like sunbeams) come out from behind the propeller. The back of the medal is blank. This space is used to engrave the name and rank of the person who receives it.
The medal hangs from a ribbon that is about 1.5 inches wide. The ribbon has stripes of blue, white, and a small red stripe in the middle.
Special Symbols on the DFC
Sometimes, extra awards of the DFC are shown with small bronze or silver Oak Leaf Clusters. These are for the Army, Air Force, and Space Force. For the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, small gold or silver stars are used.
A special "V" device can also be worn on the DFC. This "V" stands for "valor," meaning extreme bravery in combat. The DFC can also be given for amazing achievements that don't involve direct combat.
Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial
In July 2014, a law was passed to create the Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial. This memorial is located at the March Field Air Museum in California. It honors all members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have shown heroism while flying. President Barack Obama signed this law.
Famous People Who Received the DFC
This list includes many well-known people who earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. The rank shown is the highest rank they reached.
Astronauts
- Lieutenant General Thomas P. Stafford, USAF: Flew to the Moon on Apollo 10.
- Major General Michael Collins, USAF: Pilot for the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon.
- Rear Admiral Alan Shepard, USN: First American in space.
- Brigadier General Buzz Aldrin, USAF: Second person to walk on the Moon.
- Colonel Eileen Collins, USAF: First woman to command a Space Shuttle mission.
- Colonel John Glenn, USMC: (5 awards) First American to orbit Earth.
- Captain Mark Kelly, USN: (2 DFCs) Space Shuttle pilot.
- Captain Jim Lovell, USN: Commander of Apollo 13.
- Neil Armstrong: Commander of Apollo 11, first person to walk on the Moon. He was a civilian at NASA, so Congress had to approve his medal.
Political Figures
- Lieutenant George H. W. Bush, USNR: President of the United States.
- Rear Admiral Jeremiah Denton, USN: US Senator.
- Brigadier General Joe Foss, ANG: Medal of Honor winner and Governor.
- Captain John S. McCain, III, USN: US Senator and presidential candidate.
- First Lieutenant George McGovern, USAAF: US Senator and presidential candidate.
Civilians
- Glenn Curtiss: Aircraft designer.
- Amelia Earhart: Famous pilot, first woman to receive the DFC.
- Wiley Post: First person to fly solo around the world.
- Orville Wright: Aviation pioneer.
- Wilbur Wright: Aviation pioneer.
Foreign Citizens
- Wing Commander James Blackburn, RAF: British pilot in World War II.
- Squadron Leader Robert Stanford Tuck, RAF: British pilot and flying ace.
- Colonel Francesco De Pinedo: Italian pilot who flew across four continents.
- Major Arthur Chin, Republic of China Air Force: Chinese-American fighter ace.
Celebrities
- Brigadier General James Stewart, USAFR: Academy Award-winning actor.
- Brigadier General Chuck Yeager, USAF: First person to break the sound barrier.
- Major Clark Gable, USAAF: Star of Gone with the Wind.
- Captain Gene Roddenberry, USAAF: Creator of Star Trek.
United States Air Force, Army Air Forces, and Army Air Corps
- General of the Air Force Henry H. Arnold, USAF: Commander of the US Army Air Forces in World War II.
- General Jimmy Doolittle, USAF: Leader of the Doolittle Raid.
- General Curtis Lemay, USAF: Air Force Chief of Staff.
- Brigadier General Charles A. Lindbergh, USAFR: First person to fly solo across the Atlantic.
- Brigadier General Robin Olds, USAF: (6 DFCs) Combat pilot in World War II and Vietnam.
- Colonel Kim Campbell, USAF: For landing her damaged A-10 aircraft after a mission in Iraq.
- Colonel Jacqueline Cochran, USAFR: First woman to break the sound barrier.
- Colonel Paul Tibbets, USAF: Pilot of the Enola Gay.
- Major Richard Bong, USAAF: Highest-scoring American ace of World War II.
- Major MJ Hegar, USAF: Second female recipient during a combat rescue mission.
United States Marine Corps
- Major General Marion Eugene Carl, USMC: (5 DFCs) First Marine Corps ace.
- Brigadier General Joe Foss: Medal of Honor winner and Marine Corps ace.
- Colonel James E. Swett, USMC: (8 DFCs) Shot down 5 planes on his first mission.
- Admiral Stan Arthur, USN: (11 DFCs) Vice Chief of Naval Operations.
- Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, USN: Medal of Honor winner, flew over North and South Poles.
- Captain David McCampbell, USN: Medal of Honor winner, top US Navy ace of World War II.
- Lieutenant Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., USNR: Brother of President John F. Kennedy.
- Ensign Jesse L. Brown, USNR: First African-American naval aviator.
United States Army
- General of the Army Douglas MacArthur: Medal of Honor winner, famous commander.
- General Norman Schwarzkopf, USA: Commander of Operation Desert Storm.
- Colonel Bruce P. Crandall, USA: Vietnam War helicopter pilot.
See also
- Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
- Inter-service decorations of the United States military
