Context

The Air Force Cross was awarded for meritorious service and was established on 3 June 1918, the birthday of King George V.

Eligibility and Criteria

The Air Force Cross is awarded to an officer or a Warrant Officer for an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, but not while in active operations against an enemy.

Description

A silver cross, 1.625 inches in width, shaped as a thunderbolt in the form of a cross, the arm terminates with a bomb. The cross is surmounted by another cross composed of airplane propeller blades, with the ends of the four blades inscribed with the Royal Cypher. For the Second World War DFCs the letters G (top), R (left), VI (bottom), and I (right) and for the Korea DFCs E (top), II (left), R (right), and the bottom blank. The top arm is ensigned by an Imperial Crown. For mounting, a small link at the top of the crown attaches to a slot in two sprigs of laurel firming the underside of a straight clasp. The medals are issued unnamed.

In the centre of the obverse is a roundel displaying Hermes, mounted on a hawk in flight, bestowing a wreath.

On the reverse within a central circle, the current Royal Cypher (GV, GVI, EIIR) appears above the date 1918. The year of award appears on the lower arm.

The ribbon is 1.25 inches wide, and consists of alternating red and white stripes leaning to the left at 45 degrees from the vertical. The red colour is to appear in the bottom left and upper right corners when viewed on the wearer's chest. Until 1919, the stripes were horizontal.

Bars

A bar is awarded for an additional act which would have warranted the AFC. The silver bar slides over the ribbon and has an eagle in the center. The year of the award is engraved on the reverse.

Historical Notes

• First World War: 70 to Canadians in the Royal Air Force (RAF)
• Second World War: 428 to Royal Canadian Air Force (CAF) 1 bar to RCAF (S/L John HONE, AFC) 34 to Canadians in the RAF (no bars)
• Korea: 4 to RCAF (EIIR types)
• Post War: 22 to RCAF (11 GVI and 11 EIIR) two to Canadians in the RAF