The President may award an Air Force cross of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a person who, while serving in any capacity with the Air Force, distinguishes himself by extraordinary heroism not justifying the award of a medal of honor—
(1) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
(2) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
(3) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 540, § 8742; Pub. L. 86–593, § 1(1), July 6, 1960, 74 Stat. 331; Pub. L. 88–77, § 3(2), July 25, 1963, 77 Stat. 94; renumbered § 9272, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 806(b)(11), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1833.)