The Cheney Award is an aviationaward presented by the United States Air Force in memory of 1st Lt. William H. Cheney, who was killed in an air collision over Foggia, Italy on January 20, 1918. It was established in 1927, and is awarded to an airman for an act of valor, extreme fortitude or self-sacrifice in a humanitarian interest, performed in connection with aircraft, but not necessarily of a military nature.
1995 Capt. Charles M. Moncrief and Capt. Charles M. Harmon
1994 SrA Matthew A. Wells and SrA Jesse W. Goerz
1993 John L. Brainerd
1992 Major Richard Brian Mcnabb and Major Stephen J. Laushine
1986 Capt Scott A. Chavez
1985 Major Larry Clemons, who was also a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross in Vietnam, “…distinguished himself by performing a conspicuous act of valor during an aerial flight on 7 January 1985, while assigned to the 6594th Test Group, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. Major Clemons’ outstanding skill and leadership as aircraft commander of an HH-53 aircraft resulted in the rescue of a seriously ill crew member aboard the vessel “Queen Victoria.” The 1,380-mile flight established a new world record for the longest overwater helicopter rescue without landing. The professional competence, aerial skill, and outstanding leadership displayed by Major Clemons reflect great credit upon himself and the United StatesAir Force.”
1984 Captain John C. Ritchie. Ritchie distinguished himself by performing a conspicuous act of valor during aerial flight at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, on 29 August 1983. His selfless actions in recovering a flamed-out T-33 aircraft averted a potential disaster in a densely populated residential area. Without regard for his personal safety, Captain Ritchie landed his aircraft and controlled it to avoid a JC-130 aircraft readying for takeoff and three F-4 Phantoms also parked on the ramp. The professional competence, aerial skill, and outstanding courage displayed by Captain Ritchie reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
1983 SSgt Jeffrey Yates Jones
1982 Capt. Greg Engelbreit and Capt. Fred Wilson. Capt. Wilson safely landed an RF-4C following a bird strike to the canopy during high speed training at low level which severely injured the pilot, Capt Engelbreit. Capt. Wilson also received the Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy and the Distinguished Flying Cross for this event.
1946 Sgt Larry Lambert - first live subject of a US ejector seat
1939 1Lt Harold L. Neely
1936 Maj Frederick D. Lynch, SSgt Joseph L. Murray
1935 1Lt Robert K. Giovannoli
1933 2Lt William L. Bogen, SSgt Doy D. Dodd, Sgt Thomas J. Rogers
1932 Pfc Arden M. Farley
1931 Lt R.D. Moor and Pvt J.B. Smith. Lt. Moor, who also awarded the American Distinguished Flying Cross, lost his life while acting as an instructor to the Michigan National Guard air unit; following a mid-air collision he ensured that his passenger parachuted to safety while sacrificing his own margin of altitude for a safe bail out. Pvt Smith risked his life to rescue a pilot from a crashed and burning aircraft. These were reported in the British magazine AEROPLANE, issue of 17 February 1932.
