House Passes Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial Act Designed by Sun City Granite

Following the passage of the bill, Rep. Calvert issued the following statement:

“Establishing the Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial in Riverside continues our country’s proud tradition of honoring our soldiers.  Distinguished Flying Cross recipients have received this prestigious medal for their heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving in any capacity with the U.S. Armed Forces.  The designation of the memorial at March Field Air Museum as a national memorial will ensure that these brave American heroes, their families, and all admirers of the Distinguished Flying Cross, will have a place to remember, honor, and pay tribute.  I am hopeful that the Senate will pass the Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial Act in the very near future.”

Background on the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal:

The Distinguished Flying Cross was established by the Air Corps Act enacted by Congress in 1926.  The Distinguished Flying Cross is the only medal conferred by all five military services, in all wars and campaigns from World War I to the present.

The most reliable statistics regarding the number of members of the Armed Forces who have been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross indicate that 126,318 members of the Armed Forces received the medal during World War II, approximately 21,000 members received the medal during the Korean conflict, and 21,647 members received the medal during the Vietnam War. Since the end of the Vietnam War, more than 203 Armed Forces members have received the medal in times of conflict.