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OTHER
AWARDEES: (Can't find orders)
Captain Gerard
F. Wientjes
DESCRIPTION:
A bronze cross patee on which is
superimposed a four-bladed propeller, 1-11/16 inches in width. Five rays extended
from the reentrant angles, forming a one-inch square. The medal is suspended from a
rectangular shaped bar.
RIBBON:
The ribbon is 1-3/8 inches wide and
consists of the following stripes: 3/32 inch Ultramarine Blue 67118; 9/64 inch White
67101; 11/32 inch Ultramarine Blue 67118; 3/64 inch White 67101; center stripe 3/32 inch
Old Glory Red 67156; 3/64 inch White 67101; 11/32 inch Ultramarine Blue 67118; 9/64 inch
White 67101; 3/32 inch Ultramarine Blue 67118.
CRITERIA:
The Distinguished Flying Cross is awarded to any person who, while serving
in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States, distinguishes himself by
heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. The performance
of the act of heroism must be evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of
duty. The extraordinary achievement must have resulted in an accomplishment so exceptional
and outstanding as to clearly set the individual apart from his comrades or from other
persons in similar circumstances. Awards will be made only to recognize single acts of
heroism or extraordinary achievement and will not be made in recognition of sustained
operational activities against an armed enemy.
COMPONENTS:
The following are authorized components of
the Distinguished Flying Cross:
a. Decoration (regular size):
MIL-D-3943/15. NSN 8455-00-269-5748 for
decoration set. NSN 8455-00-246-3826 for
individual replacement medal.
b. Decoration (miniature size): MIL-D-3943/15.
NSN 8455-00-996-5006.
c. Ribbon: MIL-R-11589/47. NSN
8455-00-252-9967.
d. Lapel Button (metal replica
of ribbon): MIL-L-11484/11. NSN 8455-00-253-0807.
BACKGROUND:
a. The Distinguished Flying Cross was
established in the Air Corps Act (Act of Congress, 2 July 1926, Public Law No. 446, 69th
Congress). This act provided for award "to any person, while serving in any capacity
with the Air Corps of the Army of the United States, including the National Guard and the
Organized Reserves, or with the United States Navy, since the 6th day of April
1917, has distinguished, or who, after the approval of this Act, distinguishes himself by
heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight."
b. Various designs from the
U.S. Mint, commercial artists, and the Office of the Quartermaster General, were submitted
to the Commission of Fine Arts and on 31 May 1927. The Commission approved a design
submitted by Mr. Arthur E. Dubois and Miss Elizabeth Will.
c. Initial awards of the
Distinguished Flying Cross were made to persons who made record breaking long distance and
endurance flights and who set altitude records. The Secretary of War authorized the first
Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Charles A. Lindbergh in a letter dated 31 May 1927.
With the support of the Secretary of War, the Wright Brothers retroactively received the
Distinguished Flying Cross. This award required a special Act of Congress, since the law
precluded award to civilians.
d. The current statutory requirements
for award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Army personnel is contained
in Title 10, U.S.C., Section 3749; Section 6245 for Navy personnel; and
Section 8749 for Air Force personnel. Enlisted personnel may be entitled to
a 10% increase in retired pay under Title 10, U.S.C., Section 3991, when
credited with heroism equivalent to that required for the award of the
Distinguished Service Cross.
e. Order of precedence and wear of
decorations is contained in Army Regulation 670-1. Policy for awards,
approving authority, supply, and issue of decorations is contained in Army
Regulation 600-8-22.
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