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!*  

 

 

 

[Old Sarge]

Well, that's one... lessee about the other two...

[Kathy in Alaska]

A tad late, but good afternoon, red. ((HUGS)) No more tornadoes....and now you have snow. I'm sure excited for you, ALL OF YOU, going to Washington, DC.

[EsmeraldaA]

{{{{SARGE}}}}



I could use my magic and slay a dragon just for you!

[Old Sarge]

{{{{{ ESMERALDA! }}}}}

Ah, the things you say and do!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, EMB, for the great pitures of our troops in action.

[StarCMC]

OMG!!!!! You guys!!! You will NEVER believe this!!!

I just called my mom on her cell phone to see where they were since they are bringing Squeezit home with them. They had stopped at Wright Patterson to see the AF museum. As I'm talking to mom, I hear her say "Oh my! There's Ollie North!!" So I said "You have to say HI to him!!" Then she said "We have one with our daughter -- we need one with our granddaughter!!" And then she told me that Dad took SqueezIt's picture with him!!!!!! WOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!

[Old Sarge]

How in the WORLD do you manage not only to meet him yourself, but schmooze a photo with Squeezit???

must be something Elvish...

[StarCMC]

HA!!! Elven Magic. And if you're nice I'll use it in your favor! LOL

[Kathy in Alaska]

Talk about being in the right place at the right time!!!

[StarCMC]

No kidding!! ANd I was going to be jealous just cause they got to stop at the museum! LOL

[Kathy in Alaska]

I did see the "memorial". YUCK!!!!

[Soaring Feather]

Under the darkened boughs of green
A ghostly dance was said to be seen
a pixie elfin near half crazed
spun and twirled around in a daze.

The green eyes of the maddened gypsy
shot forth daggers in the air
the spinning, whirling elf-fin pixie
caught them all in her hair.

The Lord and Lady watched the scene
gypsy and elfin pixie turn green
over the affection of the Lord
with My Lady looking on bored

Now the wizard was called into play
his magic work to do this day
In a dungeon he was kept
where the call to honor was kept
His ears did perk on that day
through the wall he burst into the
circle of the spinning girls,
to put a stop to the dance
of wide eyed elfin girl's romance,and
while wilding gypsies spinning spells.

bentfearther

[Old Sarge]

We'll be nice, if they be nice to us, Precious..."

[EsmeraldaA]

After the dragon business I can be your Juliet too.

Without the dying part from us......that is. LOL!

[Old Sarge]

Hmmm, burn, hot witch, burn...

[StarCMC]

Whoa!! Nice!

[StarCMC]

LOL

[luvie]

Man! I go to work and you guys have made all the plans and everything. Just tell me when and where, and I am on it soooo fast! How much fun that would be. And I'd get real (((((hugs)))))) for a change from everyone! And I'd get to carry my sign to the Walter Reed FReep myself! WOOHOO!!!

[Soaring Feather]

;)

[Old Sarge]

Perhaps a new tune, I think?