The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers, and since 1993 to other ranks, of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy".[3]
Distinguished Flying Cross
Obverse of the decoration.
Type
Military decoration
Awarded for
... exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy in the air.[1]
The award was established on 3 June 1918, shortly after the formation of the Royal Air Force (RAF), with the Royal Warrant published on 5 December 1919.[3] It was originally awarded to RAF commissioned and warrant officers, including officers in Commonwealth and allied forces. In March 1941 eligibility was extended to Naval Officers of the Fleet Air Arm, and in November 1942 to Army officers,[4] including Royal Artillery officers serving on attachment to the RAF as pilots-cum-artillery observers. Posthumous awards were permitted from 1979.[5]
Since the 1993 review of the honours system as part of the drive to remove distinctions of rank in bravery awards, all ranks of all arms of the Armed Forces have been eligible, and the Distinguished Flying Medal, which had until then been awarded to other ranks, was discontinued.[6] While remaining a reward for "flying in active operations against the enemy", the requirement was changed from "valour, courage or devotion to duty"[3] to "exemplary gallantry".[7]
The DFC had also been awarded by Commonwealth countries but by the 1990s most, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand, had established their own honours systems and no longer recommended British honours.[8]
The DFC now serves as the third-level award for all ranks of the British Armed Forces for exemplary gallantry in active operations against the enemy in the air, not to the standard required to receive the Victoria Cross or the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.[2] Apart from honorary awards to those serving with allied forces, all awards of the DFC are announced in the London Gazette.[4]
A bar is added to the ribbon for holders of the DFC who received a further award, with a silver rosette worn on the ribbon when worn alone to denote the award of each bar.[9]
The decoration, designed by Edward Carter Preston,[10] is a cross flory, 2.125 inches (54.0 mm) wide. The horizontal and bottom bars are terminated with bumps, the upper bar with a rose. The decoration's face features aeroplane propellers, superimposed on the vertical arms of the cross, and wings on the horizontal arms. In the centre is a laurel wreath around the RAF monogram, surmounted by a heraldic Imperial Crown.[4]
The reverse is plain, except for a central roundel bearing the reigning monarch's cypher and the date '1918'. Originally awarded unnamed, from 1939 the year of issue was engraved on the reverse lower limb of cross,[4] and since 1984 it has been awarded named to the recipient.[11]
The suspender is straight and decorated with laurel wreaths.
The ribbon bar denoting a further award is silver, with the Royal Air Force eagle in its centre. Bars awarded during World War II have the year of award engraved on the reverse.[4]
The 1.25-inch (32 mm) ribbon was originally white with deep purple broad horizontal stripes, but it was changed in 1919 to the current white with purple broad diagonal stripes.[4]
Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon bars
DFC
DFC and Bar
DFC and Two Bars
1918–1919
since 1919
Recipients
Numbers awarded
From 1918 to 2017 approximately 22,322 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 1,737 bars have been awarded. The figures to 1979 are laid out in the table below,[12] the dates reflecting the relevant entries in the London Gazette:
Period
Crosses
1st bar
2nd bar
World War I
1918–19
1,045
62
3
Inter–War
1919–39
165
26
4
World War II
1939–45
20,354
1,550
42
Post–War
1946–79
678
42
5
Total
1918–79
22,242
1,680
54
In addition, between 1980 and 2017 approximately 80 DFCs have been earned, including awards for the Falklands and the wars in the Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan.[13] In addition, two second-award,[14] and one third-award bar[15] have been awarded.
The above figures include awards to the Dominions: In all, 4,460 DFCs have gone to Canadians, including 256 first bars and six second bars. Of these, 193 crosses and nine first bars were for service with the RAF in World War I. For World War II, 4,018 DFCs with 213 first bars and six second bars were earned by members of the Royal Canadian Air Force, with a further 247 crosses and 34 first bars to Canadians serving with the RAF.[16] From 1918 to 1972 the DFC was awarded to 2,391 Australians, along with 144 first Bars and five second Bars.[17] Over 1,000 DFCs were awarded to New Zealanders during the World War II, with the most recent awards for service in Vietnam. In 1999 the DFC was replaced by the New Zealand Gallantry Decoration.[18]
A total of 1,022 honorary awards have been made to members of allied foreign forces. This comprises 46 for World War I, 927 with 34 first and three second award bars for World War II, eight with three bars to members of the US Air Force for the Korean War,[12] and one to the US Marine Corps during the Iraq War.[19]
Squadron Leader James Liston, who saved the crew of his Lancaster bomber during World War II by going out onto the wing to extinguish fires after being hit.
King Albert I of Belgium, who on many occasions during World War I was flown in a British aircraft to reconnoitre enemy positions.[12]
^John Mussell (ed). Medal Yearbook 2015. pp. 87. Token Publishing, Honiton, Devon.ISBN978-1-908-828-16-3
^ abcP E Abbott & J M A Tamplin. British Gallantry Awards. pp. 95–98. Nimrod Dix & Co, London, 1981.ISBN0-902633-74-0
^Post 1979 DFCs include 9 for the Falklands (London Gazette Supplement, 8 October 1982); 5 for Sierra Leone (London Gazette Supplement, 30 September 2003); 14 for Gulf War (London Gazette Supplement, 29 June 1991Late award: 21 November 1994) & 1 honorary award; 16 & 2 bars for Iraq and 29 & 1 second award bar for Afghanistan, plus awards for smaller conflicts.
Original Royal Warrant for the DFC. London Gazette, 5 December 1919
Current Royal Warrant for the DFC. London Gazette, 17 September 2002
Search recommendations for the Distinguished Flying Cross on The National Archives website
May 10, 2023
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Not to be confused with Distinguished Flying Cross United States The Distinguished Flying Cross DFC is the third level military decoration awarded to officers and since 1993 to other ranks of the United Kingdom s Royal Air Force and other services and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries for an act or acts of valour courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against the enemy 3 Distinguished Flying CrossObverse of the decoration TypeMilitary decorationAwarded for exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy in the air 1 Presented byUnited Kingdom and CommonwealthEligibilityBritish Commonwealth and allied forcesStatusCurrently awardedEstablished3 June 1918TotalTo 2017 22 322 crosses 1 737 barsRibbon No bars 1918 1919 horizontal alternate white and purple stripes 1919 current Diagonal alternate white and purple stripesOrder of WearNext higher Military Cross 2 Next lower Air Force Cross 2 RelatedDistinguished Flying MedalRibbon bar for a 2nd award Contents 1 History 2 Description 3 Recipients 3 1 Numbers awarded 3 2 Notable awards 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksHistory EditThe award was established on 3 June 1918 shortly after the formation of the Royal Air Force RAF with the Royal Warrant published on 5 December 1919 3 It was originally awarded to RAF commissioned and warrant officers including officers in Commonwealth and allied forces In March 1941 eligibility was extended to Naval Officers of the Fleet Air Arm and in November 1942 to Army officers 4 including Royal Artillery officers serving on attachment to the RAF as pilots cum artillery observers Posthumous awards were permitted from 1979 5 Since the 1993 review of the honours system as part of the drive to remove distinctions of rank in bravery awards all ranks of all arms of the Armed Forces have been eligible and the Distinguished Flying Medal which had until then been awarded to other ranks was discontinued 6 While remaining a reward for flying in active operations against the enemy the requirement was changed from valour courage or devotion to duty 3 to exemplary gallantry 7 The DFC had also been awarded by Commonwealth countries but by the 1990s most including Canada Australia and New Zealand had established their own honours systems and no longer recommended British honours 8 The DFC now serves as the third level award for all ranks of the British Armed Forces for exemplary gallantry in active operations against the enemy in the air not to the standard required to receive the Victoria Cross or the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross 2 Apart from honorary awards to those serving with allied forces all awards of the DFC are announced in the London Gazette 4 A bar is added to the ribbon for holders of the DFC who received a further award with a silver rosette worn on the ribbon when worn alone to denote the award of each bar 9 Recipients are entitled to use the post nominal letters DFC 9 Description EditThe decoration designed by Edward Carter Preston 10 is a cross flory 2 125 inches 54 0 mm wide The horizontal and bottom bars are terminated with bumps the upper bar with a rose The decoration s face features aeroplane propellers superimposed on the vertical arms of the cross and wings on the horizontal arms In the centre is a laurel wreath around the RAF monogram surmounted by a heraldic Imperial Crown 4 The reverse is plain except for a central roundel bearing the reigning monarch s cypher and the date 1918 Originally awarded unnamed from 1939 the year of issue was engraved on the reverse lower limb of cross 4 and since 1984 it has been awarded named to the recipient 11 The suspender is straight and decorated with laurel wreaths The ribbon bar denoting a further award is silver with the Royal Air Force eagle in its centre Bars awarded during World War II have the year of award engraved on the reverse 4 The 1 25 inch 32 mm ribbon was originally white with deep purple broad horizontal stripes but it was changed in 1919 to the current white with purple broad diagonal stripes 4 Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon barsDFC DFC and Bar DFC and Two Bars1918 1919 since 1919 Recipients EditNumbers awarded Edit From 1918 to 2017 approximately 22 322 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 1 737 bars have been awarded The figures to 1979 are laid out in the table below 12 the dates reflecting the relevant entries in the London Gazette Period Crosses 1st bar 2nd barWorld War I 1918 19 1 045 62 3Inter War 1919 39 165 26 4World War II 1939 45 20 354 1 550 42Post War 1946 79 678 42 5Total 1918 79 22 242 1 680 54In addition between 1980 and 2017 approximately 80 DFCs have been earned including awards for the Falklands and the wars in the Gulf Iraq and Afghanistan 13 In addition two second award 14 and one third award bar 15 have been awarded The above figures include awards to the Dominions In all 4 460 DFCs have gone to Canadians including 256 first bars and six second bars Of these 193 crosses and nine first bars were for service with the RAF in World War I For World War II 4 018 DFCs with 213 first bars and six second bars were earned by members of the Royal Canadian Air Force with a further 247 crosses and 34 first bars to Canadians serving with the RAF 16 From 1918 to 1972 the DFC was awarded to 2 391 Australians along with 144 first Bars and five second Bars 17 Over 1 000 DFCs were awarded to New Zealanders during the World War II with the most recent awards for service in Vietnam In 1999 the DFC was replaced by the New Zealand Gallantry Decoration 18 A total of 1 022 honorary awards have been made to members of allied foreign forces This comprises 46 for World War I 927 with 34 first and three second award bars for World War II eight with three bars to members of the US Air Force for the Korean War 12 and one to the US Marine Corps during the Iraq War 19 Notable awards Edit See also Category Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross United Kingdom Squadron Leader James Liston who saved the crew of his Lancaster bomber during World War II by going out onto the wing to extinguish fires after being hit King Albert I of Belgium who on many occasions during World War I was flown in a British aircraft to reconnoitre enemy positions 12 Wing Commander Douglas Rivers Bagnall DSO who won the DFC and also the American DFC John Balmer RAAF pilot 20 Wing Commander Clive Beadon pilot during World War II Roy Calvert RNZAF pilot who was awarded the DFC three times Major General Levi R Chase American flying ace awarded DFC with bar WWII and Korea Major William Chesarek United States Marine Corps helicopter pilot who in 2006 rescued a British serviceman during the Iraq War 19 Flight Lieutenant Pierre Clostermann French RAF officer in 1945 who was awarded RAF DFC amp bar Harry Cobby flying ace of the Australian Flying Corps who was awarded the DFC three times Gordon Cochrane RNZAF pilot who was awarded the DFC three times Capt Duncan Ronald Gordon Mackay the last fatality of the First World War Peter Stanley James RAF who in July 1941 took part in a daylight raid on the German battleship Scharnhorst in dock at La Rochelle Philip Robinson RAF pilot who was awarded the DFC three times Squadron Leader George Leonard Johnson navigator who took part in Operation Chastise Keith Bluey Truscott Famous footballer and RAAF pilot who was awarded the DFC twice Arjan Singh Indian Air Force was awarded the DFC He later became Marshal of the Indian Air Force Mohinder Singh Pujji Indian Air Force was awarded the DFC Group Captain Peter Townsend CVO DSO DFC amp bar An RAF flying ace courtier and author he was equerry to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II and also had a romance with Princess Margaret Harold Whistler Royal Flying Corps flying ace who was awarded the DFC three times Wing Commander Robert Stanford Tuck Royal Air Force flying ace who was awarded the DFC three times Squadron Leader Stuart Mitchell Royal Air Force the only Tanker Pilot to be Awarded the DFC to date for his actions in the Bosnia campaign 21 Flight Lieutenant Michelle Jayne Goodman the first female officer to be awarded any British combat gallantry medal 22 See also EditCommonwealth Realms orders and decorationsReferences Edit Medals campaigns descriptions and eligibility Ministry of Defence 12 December 2012 Retrieved 5 February 2015 a b c JSP 761 Honours and Awards in the Armed Forces PDF Ministry of Defence December 2014 Archived from the original PDF on 5 February 2015 Retrieved 5 February 2015 a b c No 31674 The London Gazette 5 December 1919 p 15049 a b c d e f P E Abbott amp J M A Tamplin British Gallantry Awards pp 91 95 Nimrod Dix amp Co London 1981 ISBN 0 902633 74 0 P E Abbott amp J M A Tamplin British Gallantry Awards p xx Nimrod Dix amp Co London 1981 ISBN 0 902633 74 0 Peter Duckers British Gallantry Awards 1855 2000 pp 29 30 Shire Publications Oxford 2010 ISBN 978 0 7478 0516 8 No 56693 The London Gazette 17 September 2002 p 11147 John Mussell ed Medal Yearbook 2015 pp 390 429 459 Token Publishing Honiton Devon ISBN 978 1 908 828 16 3 a b Captain H Taprell Dorling Ribbons and Medals p 41 Published A H Baldwin amp Sons London 1956 Crompton Ann ed 1999 Edward Carter Preston 1885 1965 Sculptor Painter Medallist University of Liverpool Art Gallery ISBN 0853237921 John Mussell ed Medal Yearbook 2015 pp 87 Token Publishing Honiton Devon ISBN 978 1 908 828 16 3 a b c P E Abbott amp J M A Tamplin British Gallantry Awards pp 95 98 Nimrod Dix amp Co London 1981 ISBN 0 902633 74 0 Post 1979 DFCs include 9 for the Falklands London Gazette Supplement 8 October 1982 5 for Sierra Leone London Gazette Supplement 30 September 2003 14 for Gulf War London Gazette Supplement 29 June 1991Late award 21 November 1994 amp 1 honorary award 16 amp 2 bars for Iraq and 29 amp 1 second award bar for Afghanistan plus awards for smaller conflicts No 58092 The London Gazette Supplement 8 September 2006 p 12274 No 58776 The London Gazette Supplement 25 July 2008 p 11242 Veterans Affairs Canada Distinguished Flying Cross Retrieved 25 November 2018 Imperial Awards It s an Honour Australian Government Archived from the original on 23 June 2006 Retrieved 25 November 2018 New Zealand Defence Force British Commonwealth Gallantry Awards Distinguished Flying Cross Retrieved 25 November 2018 a b Historic award for female private The Guardian 22 March 2007 p 8 ISSN 0261 3077 Retrieved 25 November 2018 Recommendation Distinguished Flying Cross Australian War Memorial Retrieved 1 August 2018 BBC News UK Queen honours brave pilots news bbc co uk Retrieved 26 April 2019 No 58633 The London Gazette Supplement 7 March 2008 p 3616 External links EditOriginal Royal Warrant for the DFC London Gazette 5 December 1919 Current Royal Warrant for the DFC London Gazette 17 September 2002 Search recommendations for the Distinguished Flying Cross on The National Archives website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Distinguished Flying Cross United Kingdom amp oldid 1131475780, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
