SPLENDID AIR RECORD

Southland Times, Issue 24820, 12 August 1942, Page 4

SPLENDID AIR RECORD

Awards Won By New Zealanders (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 11. Announcing that the total awards to New Zealand airmen serving overseas had reached 253, the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, paid a tribute to the splendid record established by these officers and men. “It is just a little over three months since I was able to announce that the second hundred awards had been reached and now the total has increased to 253,” he said. “Numbered in this list are many officers and men with double decorations, and just recently Wing Commander ,E. P. Wells, D.F.C. and bar, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order to secure a most impressive triple award.” i The Minister said that in the earlier days of the war the majority of awards to New Zealanders were won by men who had gone from the Dominion to accept short-service commissions with the Royal Air Force, but since then the list of awards to New Zealanders who received their initial training in the Dominion had been increasing steadily. A survey of the type of men so honoured revealed that they came from all walks of life and showed that the average young New Zealander was of the type fitted for training in the specialized art of aerial warfare. Awards had been made to. pilots, observers and air gunners, indicating that New Zealanders were playing a magnificent part in all three branches of the air.

NEW ZEALAND AIRMAN GAINS D.S.O.

(Special Correspondent, N.Z.P.A.)

LONDON, August 10. The Distinguished Service Order has been awarded to Squadron Leader A. Ashworth, D.F.C., of Alexandra. He is one of the airmen met by the New Zealand Minister to Washington, the Hon. W. Nash, last week.

FLIGHT-SERGEANT GIVEN D.F.M.

(8.0.W.) RUGBY, August 10. It is officially announced that the Distinguished Flying Medal has been awarded to Flight-Sergeant Valentine Stuart Moore. Flight-Sergeant Moore was bom in New Plymouth and educated at the Taumarunui District High School. His wife lives at 24 Enfield street, Mount Eden. The citation states: “One night in June he was captain of an aircraft which successfully attacked Bremen in bad weather. During the return, to avoid heavy clouds, he descended to about 300 feet, enabling the gunners to machinegun towns and factories. After crossing the enemy coast considerable anti-air-craft fire was encountered from armed ships. The starboard main plane was hit ana set on fire, but Flight-Sergeant Moore turned and attacked the ships. The fire now spread and he was compelled to alight on the water. On .impact the nose of the aircraft dived steeply into the water, but Flight-Sergeant Moore and the two members of the crew were able to scramble out and board the dinghy, from which they were rescued some 37 hours later. In face of harassing circumstances Flight-Sergeant Moore has displayed great courage and fortitude.”