On Monday, May 6, 2013 at 7pm, the Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum’s Aviation Speaker Series presents UMBC Professor and Distinguished Flying Cross Society Historian Dr. Barry A. Lanman who will discuss recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross chronicled in his new book “On Heroic Wings: Stories of the Distinguished Flying Cross”. The Distinguished Flying Cross was created by an Act of Congress in 1926. Under the initial Act, along with military aviators and crew, a select group of civilians received the Distinguished Flying Cross for aerial achievement. Shortly thereafter, Congress modified the medal criteria to focus specifically on actions involving heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight. DFCs have been awarded prior to and during World War II, Korea, Vietnam and on to the present. The Distinguished Flying Cross has also been awarded to military aviators and/or their crew for civilian rescues during emergencies and natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina.
The Distinguished Flying Cross Society authorized Dr. Lanman and Dr. Laura M. Wendling to write an official publication on the history of the Distinguished Flying Cross and the heroes who received this highest aviation award in the United States. Thirty-two major accounts and over 180 vignettes are included in the book along with 311 photographs.While the authors frame each narrative using historical background and context, the stories are predominately told in the first-person words of the hero. Thus, the humanity of their courageous acts is accurately heard and the reader is compelled to interact with the thought processes of the DFC recipient. The accounts also include elements of human interest which make the stories unique beyond the military action itself.
The Speaker Series is free and is held in the Lockheed Martin auditorium, 2323 Eastern Blvd in Middle River. A photo ID is required for entry. For additional information call 410-682-6122 or visit www.mdairmuseum.org.
