COURAGE AND ENTHUSIASM

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 21, 3 November 1944, Page 5

COURAGE AND ENTHUSIASM

D.F.C. WINNER'S CITATION FLT. LIEUT. H. C. CARTER / Further to the telegram sent to .Mr and Mrs N. Carter of Awakeri, by the Hon. the Minister of Defence with reference to the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to the'ir Flight Lieutenant Hubert Cameron (Hori) Carter, the following citation has now been received:— "By his unfailing courage and enthusiasm Flight Lieutenant (garter - set a brilliant example when the Royal New Zealand Air Force first moved into the combat area 'in the Solomons late in 1942. A pilot of outstanding skill, resolution and he cheerfully undertook the most hazardous missions., and by his o\yn success and keenness assisted materially in maintaining the morale of the entire unit. While on a special search on the 15th January, for enemy warships known to be in the vicinity he sighted nine destroyers which immediately opened up violent anti-aircraft lire. Though his Lockheed Hudson was damaged when flown through the bail of fire, the, captain continued to show the enemy and report upon their movements for 40 minutes. His reports resulted in the arrival of a force of Allied bombers, which made a strong attack, "causing substantial damage to the enemy. A few days later, while on Flight Lieutenant Carter's aircraft was attacked by live enemy fighters armed with cannon. Although repeated passes w.exe made by the Zeros he ev.aded their fire and brought his aircraft safely homelib was a most, valuable member of the Squadron, whose personal bravery in the. air and high morale on the ground were assets to the unit. He flew a total of 238 operational Jiour& on his first tour."