Air Force Cross



The Air Force Cross was established on 3 June 1918, the birthday of King George V, and is awarded to officers and warrant officers of the RAF for an act of valour and courage or devotion to duty performed whilst flying in active operations but not while in active operations against the enemy. Since the 1993 review of gallantry awards it is now available for all ranks of the RAF services. A bar is awarded for an additional act which would have warranted the AFC. The bar has an eagle in the centre and the year of the award is engraved on the reverse.



The Air Force Cross has the shape of a silver cross and is composed of aeroplane propellor blades, with the end of the four blades enscribed with the Royal Cypher G (top), R (left), VI (bottom) and I (Right). The top arm is ensigned by a crown. In the centre of the obverse is a roundel displaying Hermes, mounted on a hawk in flight, bestowing a wreath. On the reverse of the award, within a central circle, the Royal Cypher GV, GVI, EIIR are engraved, above the date 1918, the year when the award appeared. The AFC is issued unnamed.



The ribbon is 1.25 inches wide and consists of alternating red and white stripes (0.125 inches) leaning to the left at 45 degrees. Until 1919, the stripes were horizontal.