Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)

Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
Type	Military decoration
Awarded for	"Heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight"
Presented by	U.S. Department of the Army; U.S. Department of the Navy; U.S. Department of the Air Force; U.S. Department of Homeland Security;
Status	Currently awarded
Established	2 July 1926
First award	2 May 1927
	Service ribbon
Precedence
Next (higher)	Legion of Merit
Next (lower)	Army: Soldier's Medal; Naval Service: Navy and Marine Corps Medal; Air and Space Forces: Airman's Medal; Coast Guard: Coast Guard Medal;

The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) is a military decoration of the United States Armed Forces. The medal was established on July 2, 1926, and is awarded to those who, after April 6, 1917, have distinguished themselves by single acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. Both heroism and extraordinary achievement are entirely distinctive, involving operations that are not routine. The medal may be awarded to friendly foreign military members in ranks equivalent to the U.S. paygrade of O-6 and below in combat or support operations.