AWARDS TO AIRMEN

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 9, 6 October 1943, Page 5

AWARDS TO AIRMEN

Gallantry And Devotion To Duty Not a week goes by without further awards being made to New Zealand airmen for gallantry and devotion to duty. A recent list includes six awards, comprising one Distinguished Service Order, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, and two Distinguished Flying Medals. The personnel to receive awards are Distinguished Flying Cross. — Acting Flight Lieutenant Williafn Tins 4 ley Hawkins, R.N.Z.A.F. (father,. Brigadier J. M. Hawkins, c/o Salvation □ Army, Wellington). Flying Officer Eridfl James Shaw, R.N.Z.A.F. (mother, Mrs.J T. Shaw, Matangi, Hamilton). Flight Lieutenant Bryan Hubert Thomas, R.N.Z.A.F. (wife, Mrs. J,. ; Thomas, c/o Bank of Australasia,' AVrvbtlov ) • Distinguished Flying Medal.— Hight Sergeant James Frederick ■ Bailes,’ RNZA.F. (father. Mr. G. H. Bailes,! Matangi, Hamilton). Flight Sergeant; Stanley Rutherford, R.N.Z.A.F. er, Mrs. A. O. Rutherford, Inehclutha,' Kaitangata). . ~ The citations accompanying the awards state: — "During many sorties oyer enemy-oc-cupied territory Acting-Flight Lieutenant Hawkins has destroyed an enemy aircraft and much vital war material. As a flight commander he has always displayed great enthusiasm for operational Officer Shaw is a skilful and determined fighter pilot, whose courage, and keenness have set him as an inspiring example. He has displayed outstanding ability when attacking ground targets. On one occasion he destroyed or damaged every vehicle in a motor transport column. In recent North African and Sicilian operations he has destroyed three enemy aircraft.”. . . . “In operations against Tunisia ana Sicily Acting-Flight Lieutenant Thomas displayed outstanding courage and gallantry. In August, 1943, while machine-.., gunning an enemy motor transport on the Randazzo-Fiume-Freddo road,, in-;, tense anti accurate light anti-aircraft nrS... was encountered, and Acting-Flight DieiWy tenant Thomas’s aircraft sustained much damage. Nevertheless he continued to de-; liver his attack at a very low level. Hisj skill and keenness have set a worthy.: example and have been an inspiration to other pilots.” . “Flight Sergeant Bailes has complex ed many sorties over Tunisian and Italian objectives. He has displayed first-class ability as a rear gunner and has played an important part in the successes achieved by his crew. Both .on the ground and in the air his keenness and courage have been outstanding.” “Flight Sergeant Rutherford has participated in numerous operational sorties in Tunisia and against. targets in Italy. He is a most reliable captain of his aircraft and has pressed home his attacks with vigour and resolution, often in the - face of intense opposition. His courage and devotion to duty have been outstanding.”