The Air Force Cross award (AFC) was first given to British airmen back in June 1928 to honour officers who displayed devotion or courage while flying but were not engaged in operations directly with the enemy.
Initially the Air Force Cross medal was only given to officers and warrant officers who showed heroics while in the air that demonstrated their devotion to military service, but since 1993 any air force member who qualifies for RAF ranks is eligible to receive the Air Force Cross medal.
The medals were given out frequently during World War II with about 2,000 officers receiving the distinction of an Air Force Cross medal with World War I the other high time for recipients as 680 were awarded.
One distinction of the Air Force Cross medals is that there is not a distinct name for the action or type of medal unlike other common medals that are given out to brave military, navy, or air force men. This may be the reason why there are not any official citations in the London Gazette that list who has won the Air Force Cross medal in the past.
However, by looking through the London Gazette there are notations of service that could constitute receipt of the Air Force Cross medal which is the best way to sort through possible recipients.
