Distinguished Flying Cross

Medal

A cross flory, in silver, the horizontal and base bars terminating in bombs, the upper bar in a rose. This cross is surmounted by another, composed of aeroplane propellers, charged in the centre with a roundel within a laurel leaf, from which two wings stretch across the horizontal bars. At the centre of the roundel is the RAF monogram surmounted by the Imperial Crown. The reverse of the cross has at its centre an encircled Royal Cypher above the year '1918'.

Clasp

A silver bar ornamented by an eagle may be issued to DFC holders performing a further act of such valour which would have merited award of the DFC.

Ribbon

Alternate narrow diagonal stripes of white and deep purple.

Awarded to

All ranks of the RN, RM, Army, and RAF in recognition of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy in the air.

History

Instituted in 1918, the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) was issued for acts of valour while flying in operations against the enemy to warrant officers and officers of the Royal Air Force. It was later made available to equivalent ranks in the Royal Navy and Army for acts of valour in the air.

The equivalent award for the other ranks for acts of valour in the air on operations against the enemy was the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM), instituted at the same time as the DFC and which was also later made available to other ranks of the Royal Navy and Army.

Following the 1993 review, the DFM was discontinued and the DFC became available to all ranks of all services for exemplary gallantry in the air in presence of the enemy. It is at a level below the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross and is at the equivalent level to the Distinguished Service Cross (for exemplary gallantry at sea) and the Military Cross (for exemplary gallantry on land).