§ 9272. Air Force cross: award

Statutory text

The President may award an Air Force cross of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force or the Space Force, distinguishes himself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a medal of honor—

while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;

while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or

while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

1956
Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 540, § 8742 · 70A Stat. 540
Enacted · 10 U.S.C. § 9272
Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 540, § 8742
Source evidence
Code source credit
Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 540, § 8742
1960
Pub. L. 86–593 § 1(1) · 74 Stat. 331
1. Substituted · 10 U.S.C. § 9272
  Pub. L. 86–593 substituted “Air Force cross” for “Distinguished-service cross” in section catchline
2. Substituted · 10 U.S.C. § 9272
  Pub. L. 86–593 substituted “an Air Force cross” for “a distinguished-service cross” in text
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 86–593 substituted “Air Force cross” for “Distinguished-service cross” in section catchline, and substituted “an Air Force cross” for “a distinguished-service cross” in text.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(1) Section 8742 is amended— (a) by amending the catchline to read as follows: “§8742. Air Force cross: award”; and (b) by striking out the words “a distinguished-service cross” and inserting the words “an Air Force cross” in place thereof.
1963
Pub. L. 88–77 § 3(2) · 77 Stat. 93
Changed · 10 U.S.C. § 9272
Pub. L. 88–77 enlarged the authority to award the Air Force cross, which was limited to those cases in which persons distinguished themselves in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, to permit its award for extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a medal of honor, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 88–77 enlarged the authority to award the Air Force cross, which was limited to those cases in which persons distinguished themselves in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, to permit its award for extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a medal of honor, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(2) Section 8742 is amended to read as follows: “§ 8742. Air Force Cross: award “The President may award an Air Force cross of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force, distinguishes himself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a medal of honor— “(1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; “(2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or “(3) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.”
2018
John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019
Pub. L. 115–232 div. A title VIII § 806(b)(11) · 132 Stat. 1636
Changed · 10 U.S.C. § 9272
Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 8742 of this title as this section
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 8742 of this title as this section.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(11) Chapter 857.— Each section in chapter 857 is redesignated so that the number of the section, as redesignated, is the number equal to the previous number plus 530.
Effective date note
Amendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Feb. 1, 2019, with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.
2021
William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021
Pub. L. 116–283 div. A title IX § 923(c)(12)(A)(ii) · 134 Stat. 3388
Inserted · 10 U.S.C. § 9272
Pub. L. 116–283 inserted “or the Space Force” after “the Air Force” in introductory provisions
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Pub. L. 116–283 inserted “or the Space Force” after “the Air Force” in introductory provisions.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(ii) Section 9272.

5 of 6 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 1 partial

Notes

historicalAndRevision

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
8742	10:1406.	July 9, 1918, ch. 143 (9th par. under “Ordnance Department”), 40 Stat. 870.

The words “but not in the name of Congress” are omitted as surplusage, since a medal is presented in the name of Congress only if the law so directs. The words “since the 6th day of April, 1917” are omitted as executed. The word “award” is substituted for the word “present” to cover the determination of the recipients as well as the actual presentation of the medal, and to conform to other sections of this chapter. The words “or herself” are omitted, since, under section 1 of title 1, words importing the masculine gender include the feminine. The words “or who shall hereafter distinguish” are omitted as surplusage.

Editorial Notes

Amendments1960–2021 · 4 rounds

2021

Pub. L. 116–283 inserted “or the Space Force” after “the Air Force” in introductory provisions.

2018

Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 8742 of this title as this section.

1963

Pub. L. 88–77 enlarged the authority to award the Air Force cross, which was limited to those cases in which persons distinguished themselves in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, to permit its award for extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a medal of honor, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

1960

Pub. L. 86–593 substituted “Air Force cross” for “Distinguished-service cross” in section catchline, and substituted “an Air Force cross” for “a distinguished-service cross” in text.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Feb. 1, 2019, with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.

References to Distinguished-Service Cross and Soldier’s Medal Considered Made to Air Force Cross and Airman’s Medal

Pub. L. 86–593, § 3, July 6, 1960, 74 Stat. 332, provided that: “References that other laws, regulations, and orders make, with respect to the Air Force, to the distinguished-service cross and the Soldier’s Medal shall be considered to be made to the Air Force cross and the Airman’s Medal, respectively.”

Credits

1956–2021 · 5 acts

1956Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 540, § 8742
1960Pub. L. 86–593, § 1(1), July 6, 1960, 74 Stat. 331
1963Pub. L. 88–77, § 3(2), July 25, 1963, 77 Stat. 94
2018renumbered § 9272, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 806(b)(11), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1833
2021Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title IX, § 923(c)(12)(A)(ii), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3811.

Show as published

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 540, § 8742; Pub. L. 86–593, § 1(1), July 6, 1960, 74 Stat. 331; Pub. L. 88–77, § 3(2), July 25, 1963, 77 Stat. 94; renumbered § 9272, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 806(b)(11), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1833; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title IX, § 923(c)(12)(A)(ii), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3811.)