Calvert’s Distinguished Flying Cross bill advances in House

Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) recently moved one step closer toward his goal to honor the recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross medal.

The House Armed Services Committee included Calvert’s legislation, the Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial Act, in its Readiness Subcommittee mark of the FY2014 National Defense Authorization Act.

The Distinguished Flying Cross was established in 1926 as an award given to members with the Air Corps of the Army, including the National Guard, the Navy and the Organized Reserves, who have displayed heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight.

“For many years I have been working to appropriately honor the recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross,” Calvert said. “The designation of the memorial at March Field Air Museum as a national memorial will ensure that these brave American heroes, their families and all admirers of the Distinguished Flying Cross, will have a place to remember, honor and pay tribute.”

The March Field Air Museum is located in Calvert’s home state of California.

Other provisions considered in the subcommittee’s mark include legislation to provide pay and benefit authorities for federal civilians deployed overseas and language to support the retention of seven Navy cruisers and two amphibious ships proposed for early retirement.