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

Various - linked in thread | Grape Ape

[StarCMC]

 

 

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Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

 

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!*  

 

 

 

[Radix]

 Iraqi Television program favorites.

 

 

 Combo images show former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein as he speaks to Presiding Judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin in Baghdad. A defiant Hussein exchanged angry words with the presiding judge and heard testimony from the first prosecution witness as the trial of the former Iraqi dictator resumed after a 40-day break.

 

To tell the truth: Will the real Saddam please, stand up!

 

 

 Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein speaks in the courtroom to Presiding Judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin as his trial resumes in Baghdad Monday.

Bad boys bad boys, what you going to do when they come for you?

 

 

 

 Palestinian Bassam Shana'a and his daughter Baghdad watch a live broadcast on satellite television of the trial of Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein at their home in Khan Younis, southern Gaza strip, Monday Nov. 28, 2005.

Critics are saying that the Iraqi Television charity telethons would get a lot more donations if they did not allow former dictators to demand contributions or have your eyes plucked out.

 

 

 Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein (front C) addresses the court as Awad Hamed al-Bander (front L), Taha Yassin Ramadan (2nd row L), Abdullah Kadhem Ruaid (2nd row C), Mizher Abdullah Rawed (2nd row R), Mohammed Azawi Ali (back row L), Ali Daeem Ali (back row C) and Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti appear at their trial in Baghdad November 28, 2005. The trial of Saddam and seven co-defendants was adjourned on Monday until December 5 to give one defendant time to get legal representation, the chief judge said.

"Alex, I'll take former despots for $500.00 dollars!"

 

 

 An Iraqi soldier blows cigarette smoke at Saddam Hussein while watching his trial on satellite television in their bunker in Saadah, Iraq, eight miles from Syria, Monday, Nov. 28, 2005.

Hey Saddam, we'll give you the last word on that!

 

 

 Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein (R), Awad Hamed al-Bander (L), Taha Yassin Ramadan (2nd row L), Abdullah Kadhem Ruaid (2nd row C), Mizher Abdullah Rawed (2nd row R), Mohammed Azawi Ali (back row L), Ali Daeem Ali (back row C) and Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti observe a moment of silence in memory of the two defence lawyers assassinated since the trial's opening during their trial in Baghdad November 28, 2005. The trial of Saddam and seven co-defendants was adjourned on Monday until December 5 to give one defendant time to get legal representation, the chief judge said.

This week's "Survivor Baghdad" had Saddam finally voted off of the island.

 

 

 

 Former US Attorney General Ramsey Clark addresses a press conference in Baghdad in 2002. Washington's political elite expressed muted disapproval to news that Clark had joined the defense team of Saddam Hussein, one day before the former Iraqi dictator's trial resumes in Baghdad.

Former Attorney General Clark was not pleased to learn what public defenders are actually being paid on the Iraq' version of Judge Judy.

 

 

 An Iraqi man shows a poster with old Iraqi banknotes with Saddam Hussein's portrait and a slogan reading 'We want death sentence to Saddam and Bush' in the southern city of Basra November 27, 2005. A U.S. civil rights lawyer and a Qatar former justice minister said on Sunday they were heading to Baghdad to join Saddam Hussein's defence team and support its campaign for his trial to be moved abroad.

Iraqi Food Network's most popular recipe show offered Saddam grilled with a side of borscht.

 

 

 Saddam Hussein listens to the Presiding Judge Rizgar Mohammed Amin as his trial begins in a heavily fortified courthouse in Baghdad's Green Zone.

The suspense was gripping as the contestant had to choose to accept the audience's advice, or invoke another life line.

[mylife]

Although I dig the cage and the humility that Saddam is experiencing, Its not enough for the bastage.

I pray that he is handed over to the Iraqis for "disposition"
I fear that this will become an international circus trial

[luvie]

I agree mylife...he deserves to have the fate that he meted out to so many innocent people over the years. Ole Ramsey Clark is going to make sure it is a spectical and the DUmmies will be feeling sorry for HIM! GRRRRR!

Oh! Hi!

[luvie]

Great pictures and captions!

[mylife]

Now Now L0L
The media would have me believe that Saddam is just misunderstood and that GWB is the bastage! L0L

[luvie]

:o)

Well, now then, we know they're always right, huh!

[mylife]

Oh, I hang on thier every word!

[El Gran Salseron]

Getting ready to watch MNF. I'm afraid that the Colts are going to run into a buzzsaw tonight.

The Steeler QB is just coming off of an injury and is going to be spitting fire.

See y'all later.....

[mylife]

Awwww dude! the Steelers are never to be rooted for in any way

LoL

[luvie]

Oh..me too! And my eyes glaze over! LOL!

[luvie]

Well, darn it! I didn't even get to harass you and you're already gone. What kind of a deal is this! Humph!

[luvie]

Where do you suppose everyone is? It is almost too quiet around here!

What have you been up to lately?

[Kathy in Alaska]

*sigh* ms feather and Sarge, you are so fun to "watch" as you dance with words. I will never understand how the words come.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Colts looking good so far. 10 zip! Go Peyton! Oops! Interception, run almost all the way back. d:o(

[Soaring Feather]

The skill of the wordsmith 'tis what it is. Glad you enjoyed it.


;)

[Kathy in Alaska]

No layover time in LA. An hour and a half in Seattle. d:o(

[StarCMC]

Me either KAthy!

[StarCMC]

You're welcome. What a story, huh?

[StarCMC]

Ugh!! hopefully they'll show as much dedication as they have to the Ditch Witch. LOL

[StarCMC]

What I want to know, is where do you two find the pictures to go with your poems?? You both do such a great job of making them match!!