FReeper Canteen - The Air Force Cross - November 28, 2005

Various - linked in thread | Grape Ape

[StarCMC]

 

 

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The FReeper Canteen
looks at
The Air Force Cross

 

1. Description: The Air Force Cross consists of a bronze cross with an oxidized satin finish. Centered on the obverse of the cross is a gold-plated American bald eagle, wings displayed against a cloud formation, (as used on the seal of the Air Force). This design is encircled by a laurel wreath in green enamel, edged in gold. The reverse of the cross is blank and suitable for engraving.

2. Ribbon: The Ribbon has a very wide center stripe of Brittany blue with narrow stripes of white and red at the edges. Almost identical to the Distinguished Service Cross, except for the lighter blue center stripe, indicating the close connection of these awards.

3. Criteria: Awarded for extraordinary heroism, not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor, to any person, who while serving with the U.S. Air Force while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States in not a belligerent party.

4. Background: Designed by Eleanor Cox, an employee of the Air Force and was sculpted by Thomas Hudson Jones of the Institute of Heraldry. The Air Force Cross was established by Congress, Public Law 88-593, on July 6, 1960, amended Section 8742 of Title 10, U.S. Code to change the designation of "Distinguished Service Cross" to "Air Force Cross" in case of awards made under Air Force Authority. This cross, therefore, is the Air Force version of the Distinguished Service Cross. The first award of the Air Force Cross was a posthumous presentation to Maj. Rudolf Anderson Jr., For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy from 15 October 1962 to 27 October 1962. The action took place during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Cross was presented by President Kennedy to the widow of the major at the White House.

 

 

• A Total of 191 Air Force Crosses have been Awarded

  • Three Vietnam War recipients earned TWO Air Force Crosses

  • One Vietnam War recipient earned THREE Air Force Crosses

• This list represents 187 individual men who received the Air Force Cross

  • Two WWII pilots receiving late awards were presented the Air Force Cross

  • The first AFC was awarded for a flight over Cuba during the Missile Crisis

  • One Air Force Cross recipient was ALSO awarded the Medal of Honor

• 24 Air Force Cross recipients were POWs returned alive after the war.

• 48 Air Force Crosses were presented posthumously

  • 28 of these Posthumous awards were to heroes Missing in Action and presumed dead

•   2 Air Force Cross recipients were Killed in Action AFTER their AFC action

• 22 Air Force Crosses have been awarded to Air Force ENLISTED MEN

  • Twelve of these 22 enlisted men served as PJs (Pararescue)

• 13 Air Force Crosses have been awarded to graduates of the US Air Force Academy

   

The Air Force Cross awarded Airman William Pitsenbarger was upgraded to the Medal of Honor on December 8, 2000 and is not counted in the above totals.

This information from Home of the Heroes.

WARNING:  MAJOR HANKIE ALERT!

Hero awarded Air Force Cross

by Terry Walker
377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

09/16/02 - KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFPN) -- Senior Airman Jason D. Cunningham, a pararescueman who lost his life in Afghanistan while saving 10 lives and making it possible for seven others who were killed to come home, was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross here Sept. 13.

The Air Force Cross is awarded for extraordinary heroism while engaged in action against an enemy of our nation. It is second only to the Medal of Honor.

"We gather to salute his bravery and to reward his heroism," said Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James Roche. "We gather to pay tribute to an airman who, on the field of battle, not only gave his life serving his nation, but also gave his life serving his fellow Americans."

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John Jumper presented the Air Force Cross to Cunningham's wife, Theresa. Cunningham's parents, Lawrence and Jackie Cunningham, also received medals from Jumper.

"In the frailty of our human existence we are ill equipped to express the extremes of our emotions," Jumper said. "For in the peak of our love or the depths of our sorrow, we have only feeble words that never truly capture the peaks and valleys of our feelings.

"I stand before you today in the humble attempt to assemble the words to honor a hero, knowing in advance that my attempt will fall short of the tribute that is his due."

Cunningham, a Carlsbad, N.M., native, joined the Air Force's elite combat rescue program and graduated pararescue technical training here in June 2001. He was deployed to Southwest Asia in February 2002.

On March 4, Cunningham was the primary Air Force combat search and rescue medic assigned to a quick reaction force in Afghanistan. The force was sent to rescue two American servicemen evading capture in austere terrain occupied by al-Qaida and Taliban forces.

Before landing, his MH-47E Chinook helicopter received rocket-propelled grenade and small-arms fire, disabling the aircraft and forcing it to crash-land. Crewmembers formed a hasty defense and immediately suffered three fatalities and five critical casualties.

The citation accompanying Cunningham's Air Force Cross reads, "Despite effective enemy fire, and at great risk to his own life, Airman Cunningham remained in the burning fuselage of the aircraft in order to treat the wounds. As he moved his patients to a more secure location, mortar rounds began to impact within 50 feet of his position.

"Disregarding this extreme danger, he continued the movement and exposed himself to enemy fire on seven separate occasions. When the second casualty collection point was also compromised, in a display of uncommon valor and gallantry, Airman Cunningham braved an intense small arms and rocket-propelled grenade attack while repositioning the critically wounded to a third collection point."

The citation continues, "Even after he was mortally wounded and quickly deteriorating, he continued to direct patient movement and transferred care to another medic. In the end, his distinct efforts led to the successful delivery of 10 gravely wounded Americans to life-saving medical treatment."

In remarks that seemed to capture Cunningham's spirit, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gerald Murray, said, "The former Navy petty officer considered joining the SEALS, but became an Air Force PJ. His reasoning? While other special operators search and destroy, PJs search and save."

Cunningham was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery on March 11. (Courtesy of Air Force Materiel Command News Service)

 

To read more about this Airman, including a poem written by his brother, click here.
And be warned, you'll need your hankie.

 

Please remember: 

The Canteen exists to support our military heroes serving all over the world and their families.  There are lots of places around Free Republic to talk about politics and debate your views.  Please try to keep it out of the Canteen.  We want to keep the Canteen a place where the guys and gals who are serving can sit down, kick their shoes off and relax and not have to keep their guard up. 
Thanks for your help! 
Now go out there and have FUN!!!!   
*HUGS!*  

 

 

 

[tomkow6]

Evenin', Sarge!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Grape Ape is old -- like from the 70s I think. I watched him when I was a kid.

Yea, well....and what are you saying here? I didn't know who he was. LOL!

[Old Sarge]

"Psst, Eddie, how long do we stand like this, I gotta go..."
"Didja HAVE to go 'Pssst'?"

[tomkow6]

I was worried that you might have fallen off your perch....

[Kathy in Alaska]

Everybody is going.

Hurrah!! And we get to go too.

[Soaring Feather]

How kind of you to worry about me dropping of my perch.

[Lady Jag]

            You're the best!

[Old Sarge]

A little adventure is welcome?

[Soaring Feather]

Oh you betcha, adventure is welcomed.

[StarCMC]

Welcome?? Absolutely!!! :o)

[GodBlessUSA]

Wait! I still wasn't ready yet. :)

[E.G.C.]

Music bumps for 532, 536 and 551.

Hello once again, folks. My sister and I have just got back from Wichita Falls where we shopped for Christmas gifts and ate at the Picadilly.

We have been looking for a new TV for Chuck wihtout any luck. My sister's gone to town to look for a TV.

I think we're gonna have to get the UPS/battery backup sooner or later because we're getting close to the winter season and there's always a possibility of power outages.

Dell has some of those things in their catalogs. I'll take a look the next time one comes out.

I'mgonna go eat some more of this food from Picadilly. It tastes real good.

[Old Sarge]

Gimme a few...

[GodBlessUSA]

Ok, you can bring Kitty and burkas. LOL! Just have kitty behave. No stinky business. :)

[StarCMC]

You got it!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

I haven't been to a movie for years and years, but I just might go for this one......imagine a pro troop movie, the guys and gals who make it possible for the lefties to make stupid stuff. I wonder if it will get any mention by the MSM? Hmmm....

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good grief, now that I'm awake, I need to fix my tune template. Jeez!!

[Old Sarge]

Riding under darkened boughs, the forest close around me,
I came upon a sight to see, to welcome and astound me,

a closed-in bower, a meadow in the forest lit with light,
and before my eyes the Queen's Court appeared in in plain sight!

So many sights I beheld, in the court by light of day,
before the throne, a gyspy-girl I saw to dance and sway,

Slowly I dismounted, and started walking toward them,
but an arrow pinned the ground before my feet as I approached them,

A stealthly elven archer from out of nowhere came,
and warned me, "Only knights so brave, and without stain of shame,
approach The Queen so bold, Sir Knight!" a pretty guard she made,
"Before you pass me, you must reveal to me your blade!"

"My sword does naught but honor," I told the elvish maid,
"the charge that all defenders have, upon our shoulders laid!"

A word of musical voice I heard, "Archer, bid him here,
from such as this one, we have naught to fear."
And there, before the Queen I stood, greeting I gave that dame,
and gave my arm in escort, and to the dance we came,

The gypsy girl, she spun and twirled, and smiled as I came near,
with a wink and grin, left the glade with a spin, and the Queen and I were clear,
and to lute and pipe, and drum and voice, we danced there in the glen,
and music ending, bowing, and taking hand to dance again,

I had come to this place a stranger, but knew I'd leave as friend.

[StarCMC]

Well I think you've definitely won the hearts of the Gypsy girl, the Elf and the Queen one and all!! Nicely done Sarge!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

TAPS

RIP Keepers of our freedom