Freedom Is Not Free
Military Police
Air Police
Security Police

Air Force Cross was established by Congress, Public Law 88-593, on July 6, 1960, amended Section 8742 of Title 10, U.S. Code to change the designation of "Distinguished Service Cross" to "Air Force Cross" in case of awards made under Air Force Authority. This cross, therefore, is the Air Force version of the Distinguished Service Cross.

Award: Awarded for extraordinary heroism, not justifying the award of a Medal of Honor, to any person, who while serving with the U.S. Air Force while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States in not a belligerent party.

Medal's Design: Designed by Eleanor Cox, an employee of the Air Force and was sculpted by Thomas Hudson Jones of the Institute of Heraldry. It is a bronze cross with an oxidized satin finish. Centered on the obverse of the cross is a gold-plated American bald eagle, wings displayed against a cloud formation, (as used on the seal of the Air Force). This design is encircled by a laurel wreath in green enamel, edged in gold. The reverse of the cross is blank and suitable for engraving.

Ribbon: The Ribbon has a very wide center stripe of Brittany blue with narrow stripes of white and red at the edges. Almost identical to the Distinguished Service Cross, except for the lighter blue center stripe, indicating the close connection of these awards.

History: The first award of the Air Force Cross was a posthumous presentation to Maj. Rudolf Anderson Jr., For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy from 15 October 1962 to 27 October 1962. The action took place during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Cross was presented by President Kennedy to the widow of the major at the White House.

Maisey, Reginald Victor, Jr. *
Captain, U.S. Air Force
3rd Security Police Squadron, Biên Hòa Air Base, Vietnam

Date of Action: January 31, 1968

Citation:

The Air Force Cross is presented to Reginald Victor Maisey, Jr., Captain, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force, as a Security Police Officer in Southeast Asia on 31 January 1968. On that date, an intense night rocket and ground attack was launched by massed hostile forces against Biên Hòa Air Base. With the brunt of the ground penetration concentrated at a key bunker position on the east end of the installation, Captain Maisey drove from the west end of this runway to the beleaguered bunker and directed the actions of his men in defending the position. Captain Maisey exhibited an unrelenting stamina that rallied his men in countering the hostile assault. He persisted in his gallant campaign against the attacking force until an exploding rocket took his life. His supreme courage and undaunted leadership inspired his men to hold the position, thus thwarting the westward progress of the infiltrators across the installation and saving untold numbers of lives and millions of dollars worth of aircraft and other material. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, Captain Maisey reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Birth: 11/17/1934

* Reginald Maisey's was one of only two non-aircrew officers to receive the Air Force Cross. He was originally recommended for the Medal of Honor for his heroism in this action, and was awarded the Air Force Cross instead.

Wright, Garth A.
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force
35th Security Police Squadron, Phan Rang Air Base, Vietnam
(Unit History)

Date of Action: January 26, 1969

Citation:

The Air Force Cross is presented to Garth A. Wright, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force as Security Operations Officer, 35th Security Police Squadron, at Phan Rang Air Base in the Republic of Vietnam, on 26 January 1969. On that date, Captain Wright was the key factor in repelling a highly trained and specialized North Vietnamese Army CO that was infiltrating Phan Rang. With professionalism, confidence, and extraordinary coolness under fire, Captain Wright organized and directed a blocking force that broke the attack. Walking into point-blank range of a heavily armed opposing squad concealed in the brush, Captain Wright, through fast reaction and exceptional skill, saved his men from possible annihilation and prevented the hostile forces from overrunning the base. Through his extraordinary heroism and aggressiveness in the face of determined action by hostile forces, Captain Wright reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Medal's Links
The Vietnam Security Police Association thanks the United States Air Force Personnel Center
for providing public domain information for distribution and copying, which has made this display possible.