Distinguished Flying Cross Society

Distinguished Flying Cross Society (DFCS) was founded in 1994 nonprofit war veterans’ organization, located in San Diego, California. The Flying Cross Society is established to honor recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross. Its foundation is based on the principles of fraternity and fellowship among military aviators. The Society aims to preserve the historical narratives of these recipients and to educate the public about their contributions.[2] There are 32 chapters and 7000 members of the DFCS.[3][4]

History

The Distinguished Flying Cross is America's highest award for aerial achievement.[3] The award was authorized by United States Congress on July 2, 1926.[1] According to the U.S. Air Force, the Distinguished Flying Cross was authorized by an Act of Congress on July 2, 1926, and was first awarded in 1927 to Capt. Charles A. Lindbergh for his solo flight across the Atlantic.[5][2]

68 years after the inception of the DFC (1994) the Distinguished Flying Cross Society was started.[3] Before the formation of DFCS there was no centralized documentation of the recipients of the DFC.[4] The United States government kept no records on DFC recipients so there is no way to know how many received the medal.

The DFCS offers scholarships for descendants and adopted children of DFC Society members.[6][7]

The society has 32 chapters[4] all over the United States and those chapters schedule speaking engagements for Distinguished Flying Cross recipients.[8][9]

On March 7, 2020, the Flying Cross Society dedicated a Memorial at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, California. The dedication took place on the birthday of 100 year old DFCS member and DFC recipient Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert L. Cardenas; he was on hand for the dedication. Seventy-five members of the DFCS attended the dedication.[10]

In December 2024, the Society participated in a joint ceremony with Montgomery County authorities in Silver Spring, Maryland, at the Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library. This event marked the unveiling of a commemorative monument in honor of Tuskegee Airman Brigadier General Charles E. McGee.[11][12]

The Distinguished Flying Cross Society has achieved its 501(c)(3) status in September 2025.[13][14]

Embezzling

In 2017 the Treasurer of the society pled guilty in Federal court to embezzling $124,000 from the Society. The Treasure named Anthony Ventura, was a Vietnam aviator and was also a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross. He falsified reports to cover his theft, and he filed false tax returns.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Distinguished Flying Cross Recognizes Heroism and Extraordinary Achievement". usnhistory.com. Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Decorated Naval Aviator Steals $124,000 from Distinguished Flying Cross Society". www.justice.gov. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  3. ^ a b c "The Distinguished Flying Cross". DFCSociety. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Distinguished Flying Cross Society". 265.org. Weaver Xtreme Theme. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  5. ^ "Distinguished Flying Cross". Air Force's Personnel Center. Archived from the original on 2025-11-28. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  6. ^ "Distinguished Flying Cross Society Scholarship". College Green Light. College Green Light LLC. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Distinguished Flying Cross Society(DFCS)". Air Force. Togetherweserved.com. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  8. ^ "Distinguished Flying Cross Society Symposium Aug. 19". museumofflight.com. The Museum of Flight. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  9. ^ Watson, Earl (20 December 2011). "Distinguished Flying Cross Society members at The Villages recall wartime exploits". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  10. ^ "Flying Cross Society Dedicates Memorial at Miramar National Cemetery". Homeland Magazine. San Diego Veterans Magazine. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  11. ^ "Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich Joins Tribute Honoring Tuskegee Airman Brigadier General Charles E. McGee by the Distinguished Flying Cross Society: Memorial Unveiling Occurs Days Before What Would Have Been McGee's 104th Birthday". www2.montgomerycountymd.gov. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  12. ^ "Late Brigadier General Charles McGee to be honored with Silver Spring memorial". WJLA. 2024-12-05. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  13. ^ "Distinguished Flying Cross Society | Charity Navigator Profile". www.charitynavigator.org. Retrieved 2026-02-05.
  14. ^ Roberts, Andrea Suozzo, Alec Glassford, Ash Ngu, Brandon (2013-05-09). "Distinguished Flying Cross Society - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. Retrieved 2026-02-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ Davis, Kristina (25 July 2017). "Navy vet pleads guilty to embezzling from Distinguished Flying Cross Society". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved 22 July 2020.

Further reading

  • Baumgardner, Randy W. (2010) [2004]. The Distinguished Flying Cross Society. Nashville, Tennessee: Turner Publishing Co. ISBN 978-1563116582.
  • Baumgardner, Randy W. (2010) [2004]. Distinguished Flying Cross - 2nd Ed (Limited). Nashville, Tennessee: Turner Publishing Co. ISBN 9781563116582.
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