Air Force Cross (United States)
| Air Force Cross | |
|---|---|
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| Awarded by the United States of America | |
| Art | medal |
| requirement | United States Air Force member |
| Awarded for | striking heroism |
| status | Is awarded |
| Data | |
| Foundation year | 1960 |
| Benefactor | United States Congress |
| First awarded | January 8, 1964 |
| Awards | 192 |
| Awarded posthumously | 50 |
| Different people | 187 |
| Precedence | |
| Next lower award | Air Force Distinguished Service Medal |
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The Air Force Cross is the second highest honor, after the Medal of Honor , that a member of the United States Air Force can receive. So far 191 awards have been made (end of 2006).
The award was first presented posthumously to Major Rudolf Anderson on January 8, 1964 . Anderson was the only casualty from the Cuban Missile Crisis .
Repeated awards are indicated by an oak leaf . The name of the recipient is engraved on the back.