Page 69 - DFCS NEWS MAGAZINE 2018-2

The DFC
Heroism or Extraordinary Achievement
Distinguished Flying Cross
The
is a military decoration established by an Act of Congress
in 1926 and awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States Armed Forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary
achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918."
The first Distinguished Flying Crosses were awarded to the ten aviators who participated
in the U.S. Army Pan American Goodwill Flight which took place from December 21, 1926 to
May 2, 1927. The aircraft left Kelly Field in Texas on a 22,000-mile journey through Mexico,
Central America, South America and up to Washington DC. Two of the airmen died while
trying to land at Buenos Aires on February 26, 1927 and received their awards
posthumously.
President Calvin Coolidge presented the awards on May 2, 1927. Included among the
ten airmen to receive the first Distinguished Flying Crosses were Major Herbert A. Dargue, Captains Ira C.
Eaker and Muir S. Fairchild and First Lieutenant Ennis C. Whitehead.
Charles Lindbergh was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by President Coolidge on June 11, 1927 for
his successful flight across the Atlantic.
The first Naval Aviator to be awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross was Commander Richard E. Byrd, USN for
his trans-Atlantic flight from New York City to the coast of France June 29 to July 1, 1927.
Many notable civilian pilots would be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary
achievement in aerial flight until the award was later limited to only military personnel by Executive Order.
Among those notable civilians awarded the DFC were the Wright Brothers, Wiley Post, Jacqueline Cochran,
Roscoe Turner, Amelia Earhart, Glenn H. Curtiss and Eugene Ely.
Amelia Earhart would be the first women to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross for her solo flight across
the Atlantic in 1932.
Many of the military recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross would go on to great achievements and
fame, including President George H.W. Bush and six-time recipient Senator John Glenn.
The Distinguished Flying Cross Society continues to honor those who are awarded this prestigious
decoration for their military service exhibiting Heroism or Extraordinary Achievement while in aerial flight.