The Airman's Cross (Dutch: Vliegerkruis) is an important military decoration of the Kingdom of the Netherlands created in 1941. The cross is meant for those Dutch military, who displayed during one of more flights in an aircraft, initiative, courage and perseverance against the enemy or during hostile actions. The cross is also awarded to allied pilots, whose actions or performances in the air were of high importance for the Netherlands.
Till 2007 in total of 735 Airman's Crosses are awarded, most recently to a F-16 pilot, Air Force Major M. Duivesteijn. This because of his "exceptional courage and perseverance" at a flight above former Yugoslavia within the framework of NATO Operation Allied Force in 1999. Well-known recipient are also Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema, the "Soldier of Orange", and Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands.
The Airman's Cross is the fifth highest military decoration still being awarded for bravery and has precedence after the Cross of Merit.
Famous quotes containing the words airman and/or cross:
“‘Take the cylinders out of my kidneys,
The connecting-rod out of my brain,
Take the cam-shaft from out of my backbone,
And Assemble the engine again.’”
—Unknown. The Dying Airman (l. 5–8)
“Expecting me to grovel,
she carefully covers both feet
with the hem of her skirt.
She pretends to hide
a coming smile
and won’t look straight at me.
When I talk to her,
she chats with her friend
in cross tones.
Even this slim girl’s rising anger
delights me,
let alone her deep love.”
—Amaru (c. seventh century A.D.)