Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Distinguished Flying Cross |
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Obverse of the decoration
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| 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 |
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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 military groups. This award is for showing great bravery and dedication while flying in dangerous missions against an enemy. It is one of the highest awards for courage in the air.
History of the DFC
When the DFC Was Created
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 officers and warrant officers in the RAF. It was also given to officers from other Commonwealth countries and allied forces.
Who Could Receive the Award
In March 1941, naval officers from the Fleet Air Arm could also receive the DFC. By November 1942, army officers, including those helping the RAF, became eligible. Since 1979, the award could also be given to people after they had passed away.
Changes to the Award System
In 1993, the rules for British awards changed. This was to make bravery awards available to all ranks, not just officers. The Distinguished Flying Medal, which was for other ranks, was stopped. Now, all members of the Armed Forces can receive the DFC. The reason for the award also changed slightly. It became for "exemplary gallantry" (meaning outstanding bravery) while flying against an enemy.
Commonwealth Countries and the DFC
Many Commonwealth countries used to award the DFC. However, by the 1990s, most of them started their own award systems. Countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand now have their own awards.
What the DFC Means Today
Today, the DFC is the third-highest award for bravery in the British Armed Forces. It is given for amazing courage in air operations against an enemy. This bravery must be very high, but not as high as what is needed for the Victoria Cross or the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. Most DFC awards are announced in the London Gazette, which is an official newspaper.
Adding Bars to the DFC
If someone who already has a DFC earns another one, they get a "bar" added to their ribbon. This bar is a small silver piece. When the ribbon is worn alone, a silver rosette is added to show each bar received. People who receive the DFC can use the letters "DFC" after their name.
What the DFC Looks Like
Design of the Cross
The DFC was designed by Edward Carter Preston. It is a cross that looks like a flower, about 2.125 inches (54 mm) wide. The horizontal and bottom parts of the cross have small bumps. The top part has a rose. The front of the award shows airplane propellers on the vertical arms. Wings are on the horizontal arms. In the middle, there is a wreath of laurel leaves around the RAF symbol. Above this is a crown.
Back of the Award and Ribbon
The back of the cross is plain. It has the reigning monarch's symbol and the date '1918'. At first, the awards did not have names on them. From 1939, the year it was given was engraved on the back. Since 1984, the recipient's name has been engraved on the award.
The ribbon that holds the cross is straight and decorated with laurel wreaths. The ribbon for an extra award is silver and has the Royal Air Force eagle in the middle. Bars given during World War II have the year of the award engraved on the back.
The ribbon itself is 1.25 inches (32 mm) wide. It was first white with wide purple horizontal stripes. In 1919, it was changed to the current design: white with wide purple diagonal stripes.
| Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon bars | |||
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| DFC | DFC and Bar | DFC and Two Bars | |
| 1918–1919 |
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| since 1919 |
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People Who Received the DFC
How Many Awards Have Been Given
From 1918 to 2017, about 22,322 Distinguished Flying Crosses were awarded. Also, 1,737 bars were given for second or third awards.
Between 1980 and 2017, about 80 DFCs were earned. These include awards for conflicts like the Falklands War, the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the war in Afghanistan. Two second-award bars and one third-award bar were also given during this time.
Awards to Commonwealth and Allied Forces
Many DFCs were given to members of 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. Over 1,000 DFCs were awarded to New Zealanders during World War II.
A total of 1,022 honorary awards were given to members of allied foreign forces. This includes 46 crosses and one bar for World War I. For World War II, 927 crosses, 34 first bars, and three second bars were awarded. Eight crosses and two bars went to members of the US Air Force for the Korean War. One cross was given to the US Marine Corps during the Iraq War.
Famous DFC Recipients
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 aircraft during World War I to check on enemy positions.
- Wing Commander Douglas Rivers Bagnall: He also received the American DFC.
- John Balmer: A pilot from the RAAF.
- Wing Commander Clive Beadon: A pilot during World War II.
- Roy Calvert: A Royal New Zealand Air Force pilot who received 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. In 2006, he rescued a British serviceman during the Iraq War.
- Flight Lieutenant Pierre Clostermann: A French RAF officer who received the RAF DFC and a bar in 1945.
- Harry Cobby: A flying ace from the Australian Flying Corps who received the DFC three times.
- Gordon Cochrane: A RNZAF pilot who received the DFC three times.
- Peter Stanley James: An RAF pilot. In July 1941, he took part in a daylight raid on a German battleship.
- Philip Robinson: An RAF pilot who received 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 received the DFC twice.
- Arjan Singh: From the Indian Air Force. He later became a Marshal of the Indian Air Force.
- Mohinder Singh Pujji: Also from the Indian Air Force.
- Group Captain Peter Townsend: An RAF flying ace and author. He was an equerry to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.
- Harold Whistler: A Royal Flying Corps flying ace who received the DFC three times.
- Wing Commander Stanisław Skalski: A Polish flying ace in the RAF. He received the DFC with two bars.
- Wing Commander Robert Stanford Tuck: A Royal Air Force flying ace who received the DFC three times.
- Squadron Leader Stuart Mitchell: The only tanker pilot to receive the DFC. He earned it for his actions in the Bosnia campaign.
- Flight Lieutenant Michelle Jayne Goodman: The first female officer to receive any British combat gallantry medal.
See also
In Spanish: Cruz de Vuelo Distinguido (Reino Unido) para niños
- Commonwealth Realms orders and decorations
