Airman's Cross
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 or 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.
| Airman's Cross | |
|---|---|
 The Airman's Cross with ribbon bars | |
Awarded by  | |
| Type | Military award |
| Awarded for | display of initiative, courage and perseverance against the enemy during flight in an aircraft |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Statistics | |
| First awarded | 1941 |
| Last awarded | Major M. Duivesteijn |
| Total awarded | 735 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Cross of Merit |
| Next (lower) | Honorary Medal for Charitable Assistance (silver or bronze) |
Till 2007 in total of 735 Airman's Crosses are awarded, most recently to an 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 recipients 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.
Description
The Airman's Cross resembles the Dutch Bronze Cross but is worn on a diagonally-striped orange and white ribbon inspired by those of the British Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Force Cross.
The cross is silver with four arms. There is a crowned central medallion bearing an albatross in flight with "INITIATIEF MOED VOLHARDING" (INITIATIVE COURAGE PERSEVERANCE) around the edge of the medallion. The date 1941 appears above the body of the albatross. The reverse is plain.
External links
- The Airman's Cross - Official site of the Chancellery of the Netherlands Orders (English)
- Vereniging Dragers Militaire Dapperheidsonderscheidingen - Website of the organization of veterans that have been awarded the Airman's Cross (Dutch)