United States: Air Force Cross

Type of decoration issued for campaigns and conflicts since 1990

This is - after the Medal of Honor - the second highest gallantry award in the United States Air Force 'Order of Precedence'

The medal riband is fitted with a 9mm crimp-brooch, this with a 'Federal' contractors ID hallmark 'Graco-GI' on reverse of brooch. Complete with hinged pin & intricate drop lock clasp fittings on reverse, as issued

Note: Since its inception in 1960, and through to October 2017, it is estimated that there have only been 202 awards of the Air Force Cross, comprising 197 individual recipients of which five have been awarded the decoration on two occasions. By campaigns the decorations awarded to the 197 x individual recipients by campaigns and wars have been:

- Second World War 1941-1945: x 3 'Retroactive Awards'
- Cuban Missile Crisis 1962: x 1 'Posthumous Award'
- Vietnam War: x 180
- Mayaguez Incident 1975: x 4
- Gulf War 1991: x 2
- Battle of Mogadishu, Somalia, 1993 x 1
- Afghanistan 2002-2017: x 7

Fifty awards have been posthumous, including 30 to Air Force personnel missing in action. Twenty-four have been awarded to enlisted personnel, including 12 to Pararescuemen. Seventeen graduates of the United States Air Force Academy have been presented the award, and 13 were awarded for conduct while a prisoner of war

Thus far the only 'foreign' (allied) recipient of the Air Force Cross is the Australian aviator, 'Gary Cooper'- a truly remarkable pilot - who was the recipient of the US Air Force Cross with an 'Oakleaf Cluster' (i.e. 2 x awards)

Flt Lt Garry Gordon Cooper (Royal Australian Air Force): assigned to USAF 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron during Vietnam War as a Forward Air Controller. Was shot down during an observation helicopter mission and was instrumental in saving the injured Brigade Commander. Thus far Garry Cooper is one of only four persons to ever receive two awards of the AFC

Condition: EF

Code: 23716