The Air Force Cross was originally established by Act of Congress (Public Law 193, 65th Congress approved July 9, 1918) as the Distinguished Service Cross. Public Law 86-593, approved by Congress on July 6, 1960, amended Title 10 of the United States Code by authorizing the Air Force to present a distinctive version of the Distinguished Service Cross to Air Force recipients.

The Air Force Cross is the second highest decoration awarded by the Air Force and is given for extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor. It may be awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Air Force, distinguishes himself by extraordinary heroism (1) in action against an enemy of the United States; (2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or, (3) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. Like the Distinguished Service Cross, the Air Force Cross is presented in the name of the President, although the Air Force itself actually controls this award.

The Air Force Cross has been award to the following Air Rescue and Special Operations helicopter personnel:

(NOTE: DENNIS M. RICHARDSON WAS AWARDED THE AIR FORCE CROSS ON 5 APRIL 2008, 40 YEARS AFTER THE FACT.  CLICK  TO OPEN NEW PAGE TO READ THE STORY)

"Global War on Terror (Afghanistan)"

*CHAPMAN, JOHN A. Technical Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Date of Action: March 4, 2002.

*CUNNINGHAM, JASON D. Senior Airman, U.S. Air Force, 38th Rescue Squadron, Quick Reaction Force, Date of Action: March 4, 2002.

"Somalia"

WILKINSON, TIMOTHY A. Technical Sergeant, U. S. Air Force, 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Date of action: October 3-4, 1993

"Mayaguez Incident"

BACKLUND, DONALD R.  First Lieutenant, U.S. Air Force, 40th ARRS, Date of Action: May 15, 1975

BRIMS, RICHARD C. First Lieutenant, U.S. Air Force, 21st SOS, Date of Action: May 15, 1975
 

HARSTON, JON D. Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, 21st SOS, Date of Action: May 15, 1975
 

PURSER, ROWLAND W. Captain, U.S. Air Force, 40th ARRS, Date of Action: May 15, 1975

"Southeast Asia (SEA)"

ADAMS, VICTOR R. Technical Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, 20th Special Operations Squadron, Date of Action: November 27, 1968

ALLISON, JOHN V. Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 3d Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group, Date of Action: November 21, 1970

*BALDWIN, ROBERT LANOUE Major, U.S. Air Force, E Flight, 20th Special Operations Squadron, 14th Special Operations Wing, in action in the Republic of Vietnam, Date of Action: March 31, 1967
 

BLACK, ARTHUR NEIL (POW) Airman Third Class, U.S. Air Force, Detachment 3, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: September 20, 1965
 

BRITTON, WARNER A. Colonel, U.S. Air Force, Date of Action: November 21, 1970
 

*BROWER, RALPH WAYNE (MIA) Captain, U.S. Air Force, 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: November 09, 1967

*CLAY, EUGENE LUNSFORD Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: November 09, 1967

CONRAN, PHILIP J. Major, U.S. Air Force, 21st Special Operations Squadron, 56th Special Operations Wing, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, Date of Action: October 06, 1969
 

CURTIS, THOMAS JERRY (POW) Captain, U.S. Air Force, Detachment 3, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: September 20, 1965

DONOHUE, FREDERIC M. Major, U.S. Air Force, Date of Action: November 21, 1970

EPPINGER, DALE Major, U.S. Air Force, 20th Special Operations Squadron, Nha Trang Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: April 21, 1969

ETZEL, GREGORY A. M. Captain, U.S. Air Force, 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 3d Air Rescue and Recovery Group, Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: July 2 & 3, 1967
 

FIRSE, JOHN A. Captain, U.S. Air Force, Detachment 5, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, Date of Action: June 11, 1967

FISH, MICHAEL E. Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: February 18 & 19, 1969
 

GONZALES, LEONARD A. Major, U.S. Air Force, 20th Special Operations Squadron, Nha Trang Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: November 26, 1968
 

GREEN, JOE B. Major, U.S. Air Force, 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 3d Air Rescue and Recovery Group, Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: March 30, 1968

GRIGGS, JERRY M. Major, U.S. Air Force, 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 3d Air Rescue and Recovery Group, Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: March 30, 1968
 

GRUVER, JOHN C. Captain, U.S. Air Force, 20th Special Operations Squadron, Nha Trang Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: March 21, 1967

HACKNEY, DUANE D. Airman Second Class, U.S. Air Force, 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: February 06, 1967

HUNT, RUSSELL M. Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, E Flight, 20th Special Operations Squadron, 14th Special Operations Wing, in action in the Republic of Vietnam, Date of Action: March 31, 1967
 

KALEN, HERBERT D. Major, U.S. Air Force, Date of Action: November 21, 1970

KENNEDY, LELAND T. (First Award) Captain, U.S. Air Force, Detachment 5, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: October 05, 1966

KENNEDY, LELAND T. (Second Award) Captain, U.S. Air Force, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: October 20, 1966 
 

*KING, CHARLES DOUGLAS (MIA) Airman First Class, U.S. Air Force, 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, Date of Action: December 25, 1968
 

*MARTIN, DUANE WHITNEY (POW/Died while attempting to escape) First Lieutenant, U.S. Air Force, Detachment 3, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: September 20, 1965
 

*MAYSEY, LARRY WAYNE (MIA) Sergeant, U.S. Air Force,37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: November 09, 1967
 

McGRATH, CHARLES D. Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, Date of Action: June 27, 1972

McTASNEY, JOHN B. Captain, U.S. Air Force, 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: November 8, 1967

NEWMAN, THOMAS A. Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, Date of Action: May 30, 1968

O'MARA, OLIVER E. Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: October 05, 1966.  Read a great story of this gentleman's service to his country. 

OLSEN, DON P. Major, U.S. Air Force, 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 3d Air Rescue and Recovery Group, Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: October 5, 1968

ORRELL, BENNIE D. Captain, U.S. Air Force, 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, Date of Action: April 13, 1972

RICHARDSON, DENNIS M. Sgt, U.S. Air Force, Date of Action: March 14, 1968.  (CMSgt Retired Richardson was awarded The Air Force Cross on April 5, 2008)
 

ROBINSON, WILLIAM ANDREW (POW) Airman First Class, U.S. Air Force, Detachment 3, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: September 20, 1965

*SCHANEBERG, LEROY CLYDE (MIA) Captain, U.S. Air Force, 40th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron, Udorn Air Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, Date of Action: June 30, 1970

*SCOTT, TRAVIS HENRY, JR. Captain, U.S. Air Force, 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: April 15, 1970

SMITH, DONALD G. Technical Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: October 24, 1969

STOVALL, DALE E. Captain, U.S. Air Force, 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, Date of Action: June 1 - 2, 1972

TALLEY, JOEL E. Airman, U.S. Air Force, 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: July 02, 1968
 

WOFFORD, TRAVIS Major, U.S. Air Force, 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 3d Air Rescue and Recovery Group, Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: April 15, 1970

*WOOD, PATRICK HARDY (MIA) Major, U.S. Air Force, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Vietnam, Date of Action: February 06, 1967
 

WRIGHT, LEROY Technical Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, Date of Action: November 21, 1970
 

YORK, GLEN P. Major, U.S. Air Force, Date of Action: July 18, 1967

*Indicates Posthumous Awards (Also includes recipients KIA after their AFC Award)

NOTE:  The AFC originally awarded Airman 1/c William Pitsenbarger was upgraded to the Medal of Honor on Dec 8, 2000.  That AFC is not included in this list.

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