| Air Force Cross | |
|---|---|
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| Type | Service cross medal |
| Awarded for | Extraordinary heroism in combat |
| Presented by | United States Department of the Air Force[1][2] |
| Eligibility | United States Air Force airmen and United States Space Force guardians[3] |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Established | November 1, 1965, effective July 6, 1960[1] |
| First awarded | January 8, 1964[4] |
| Last awarded | December 10, 2020[5] |
| Total | 203[6] |
| Total awarded posthumously | 50 |
| Total recipients | 198 |
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| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Medal of Honor |
| Equivalent | Army: Distinguished Service Cross Naval Service: Navy Cross Coast Guard: Coast Guard Cross |
| Next (lower) | Department of Defense: Defense Distinguished Service Medal Department of Homeland Security: Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal |
The Air Force Cross (AFC) is the United States Air Force and United States Space Force's second highest military decoration for airmen and guardians who distinguish themselves with extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force.[7] The medal is awarded to any person, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force or Space Force, who distinguish themselves by heroism which is extraordinary but not sufficient for the award of a Medal of Honor.
The Air Force Cross is equivalent to the U.S. Army's Distinguished Service Cross, Naval Service's Navy Cross, and Coast Guard Cross. Prior to July 6, 1960, members of the Air Force were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
- ^ a b "Air Force Manual 36-2806, 10 June 2019. p. 64" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
- ^ "DOD Instruction 1348.33, DoD Military Decorations and Awards Program" (PDF). Executive Services Directorate. March 29, 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 29, 2018. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
- ^ "H.R.6395 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021". January 2021.
- ^ "Major Rudolf Anderson, Jr". Air Force Link (USAF). Archived from the original on 3 March 2009. Retrieved 9 February 2009.
- ^ "'A tribute to persistence:' SecAF presents Air Force Cross to special tactics Airman". U.S. Air Force, News. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
- ^ Including 2 upgraded awards (2016)
- ^ Air Force Instruction 36-2803 Table 2.1: "e-publishing.af.mil" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-02-16. Retrieved 2013-03-10.