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FReeper Canteen - The Air Force Cross - November 28, 2005
Various - linked in thread | Grape Ape

Posted on 11/27/2005 6:59:56 PM PST by StarCMC

 

 

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

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!*
 

 

 

 



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: airforce; airforcecross; army; burkaqueenstar; canteen; coastguard; freepercanteen; godblessthetroops; marines; navy; remembertheheroes; tomkowneedsabath; troopsupport
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To: AZamericonnie

Yeah the good thing is that no one was hurt.


741 posted on 11/28/2005 6:53:11 PM PST by txradioguy (In Memory Of My Friend 1SG Tim Millsap A Co. 70th Eng. K.I.A. 25 April 2005)
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To: StarCMC

Well, I have good access to sites. Sarge has as well.


742 posted on 11/28/2005 6:53:48 PM PST by Soaring Feather (To our fabulous TROOPS, Thank You, for your service.)
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To: Radix
I'm running through all the words I know....none seems fitting for Saddam, but I'm thinking some would fit Ramsey Clark. Thanks, Radix, for the pictures and oh so appropriate captions.
743 posted on 11/28/2005 6:53:59 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ www.ProudPatriots.org ~ Operation Season's Greeting~)
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To: mylife

My fervent wish is that there would be NO reportage about anything Clark has to say. He is a disgrace to humanity! I think some of the families that have lost members to Saddam should handle the "disposition".


744 posted on 11/28/2005 6:56:37 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ www.ProudPatriots.org ~ Operation Season's Greeting~)
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To: El Gran Salseron; mylife; Kathy in Alaska
Buzzsaw, Bubblehead? Have a feeling Manning is going to give the Steelers a buzzcut.

Oh.....and cool it on the telegraphing....I've got 90 minutes to kickoff.

Good to see ya again, My! Have you ever deep fried a turkey?
745 posted on 11/28/2005 7:02:03 PM PST by BIGLOOK (I once opposed keelhauling but recently have come to my senses.)
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To: BIGLOOK; mylife; El Gran Salseron

Oops! Mea culpa......I forgot that you don't get it live. My lips are sealed on anything else about the game.

Just for my personal edification, do you get Sunday games live, or are they delayed too?


746 posted on 11/28/2005 7:07:25 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ www.ProudPatriots.org ~ Operation Season's Greeting~)
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To: acad1228; All
Music for our Troops, Veterans, and their families!!
Canteen Music Requests Incoming!
(Please support the artists below!)

Billie Morgan~Kiss The Rain

Keith Urban~You're My Better Half

Want to know more about this artist, buy music, or get concert tickets? Click on these links!

Artist Direct.com | Amazon.com | Ticketmaster.com | Songfacts.com | Walmart.com

747 posted on 11/28/2005 7:07:34 PM PST by laurenmarlowe
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To: BIGLOOK

Good evening, Big! They giving the game away before you can see it? LOL!


748 posted on 11/28/2005 7:09:22 PM PST by luvie (Our will is strong, our nation is united, and we will settle for nothing less than victory. GWB11-11)
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To: LUV W

Howdy LUV!


749 posted on 11/28/2005 7:14:04 PM PST by txradioguy (In Memory Of My Friend 1SG Tim Millsap A Co. 70th Eng. K.I.A. 25 April 2005)
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To: StarCMC

But you can at least write some poetry......for me, I'm lucky to string words together to make a sentence. LOL


750 posted on 11/28/2005 7:14:18 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ www.ProudPatriots.org ~ Operation Season's Greeting~)
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To: BIGLOOK
Alright im back Lol I was on the horn

Looks as if The terrible towels arent dominating so far

Argghh I hate the steelers, Id rather root for Cincinnati
751 posted on 11/28/2005 7:14:43 PM PST by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
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To: BIGLOOK

sorry about the telegraphing

Yup Ive fried acouple of birds

Tip #1 work out doors


752 posted on 11/28/2005 7:16:56 PM PST by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
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To: Kathy in Alaska; LUV W; El Gran Salseron
Aloha Night Owl and Luv!
I go through this every Monday night. Sunday (and Saturday games) are live......at 8 AM. Actually EGS has a good point......the Colts have a miserable record vs Steelers. I think this game will be a benchmark.
753 posted on 11/28/2005 7:17:55 PM PST by BIGLOOK (I once opposed keelhauling but recently have come to my senses.)
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To: txradioguy

Howdy, TX! You havin' a good....umm...noon? What's up over there? When do you have reports this week?


754 posted on 11/28/2005 7:19:40 PM PST by luvie (Our will is strong, our nation is united, and we will settle for nothing less than victory. GWB11-11)
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To: BIGLOOK
Must be a kind of a bummer to have to watch your football games at 8am!

You need to go....


755 posted on 11/28/2005 7:23:07 PM PST by luvie (Our will is strong, our nation is united, and we will settle for nothing less than victory. GWB11-11)
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To: LUV W

Boxing story that you'll be able to see Wed. your time.

That's it for this week.


756 posted on 11/28/2005 7:23:56 PM PST by txradioguy (In Memory Of My Friend 1SG Tim Millsap A Co. 70th Eng. K.I.A. 25 April 2005)
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To: mylife
I haven't had fried Turkey yet.....was hoping to sample some this year. A friend made two birds this year, one roasted and one deep fried. (3 minutes/Lb; cooking time about an hour.) I asked him to bring some to work Friday. Was told there was none left.....did I want some roast turkey? Plenty leftover.
757 posted on 11/28/2005 7:24:16 PM PST by BIGLOOK (I once opposed keelhauling but recently have come to my senses.)
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To: mylife

Did you do a fried turkey for Thanksgiving? Did you go somewhere for the day or have company yourself.


758 posted on 11/28/2005 7:24:21 PM PST by luvie (Our will is strong, our nation is united, and we will settle for nothing less than victory. GWB11-11)
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To: LUV W

Did a creole turkey with company.

Not my best effort but it was palatable.

I enjoyed the day. it was full of small blessings


759 posted on 11/28/2005 7:26:24 PM PST by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
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To: BIGLOOK

Not another word from me, but I don't like Pittsburgh. I'm an hour delay on Monday and live at 9a on Sundays.


760 posted on 11/28/2005 7:28:21 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska (~ www.ProudPatriots.org ~ Operation Season's Greeting~)
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