History
The award was established on 3 June 1918. It was originally awarded to Air Force commissioned officers and Warrant Officers, but this was expanded after the Second World War to include Army and Navy aviation officers, and again in 1993 to other ranks after the discontinuation of the Air Force Medal.
During the First World War, approximately 680 were awarded. During the Second World War, 2,001 medals were awarded, with 26 bars awarded. One unique second bar was awarded to Wing Commander H. J. Wilson in 1944.
58 honorary awards were made to aircrew from other non-Commonwealth countries.
Read more about this topic: Air Force Cross (United Kingdom)
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