Hi all
As a flying instructor one of my current students mentioned his Grandfather was a former wartime navigator whom he was planning to bring down to our airfield for a chat at some point. Sadly before this could take place his Grandfather sadly passed away but today brought in something which was quite a surprise. It was a medal case inscribed “Distinguished Flying Cross” but on opening it realised it was not a British DFC but an American DFC. It appears his Grandfather served with 180 Squadron flying B25 Mitchells and we are trying to obtain a copy of the citation for which the award was made. There is no date on the medal just “FO T Beardsworth RAF”.
Any suggestions as to how we might go about this and does anyone know of a history being written for the Squadron.
We are in the process of getting his Service Record to check the details and his Service History
By: Stan - 22nd November 2009 at 09:35
Hi Lion,
Unlike the British DFC there is no roll for US awards. Their records department are helpful- freedom of information actually means something over there! They my be able to help although their main function is for US records- I’m not sure how foreign awards fit in.
Their details are at:
http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/index.html
All you could want to know about the US DFC can be found at:
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November 21, 2009 at 7:52 pm