Air Force Cross Society

The Air Force Cross was established by Congress on July 6, 1960, when Section 8742 of Title 10, U.S. Code was changed to create the medal as the Air Force version of the Army Distinguished Service Cross. The Distinguished Service Cross had been awarded to Air Force Personnel before 1960.

The Air Force Cross is awarded for extraordinary heroism which does not justify the award of the Medal of Honor.

The First Air Force Cross was awarded posthumously on January 8, 1964, to Major Rudolf Anderson, Jr., for his service during the Cuban Missile Crisis on October 27, 1962.