- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Hoofdofficier-vlieger der 2de klasse (Lieutenant-commander)
- Unit:
- No. 320 (Dutch) Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- December 11th, 1950
For having distinguished himself in action with outstanding acts of gallantry, tact and loyalty between December 8th, 1941 and December 25th, 1944 as Pilot-officer and leader of aircraft under his command, during which he managed, by his example and agressive spirit, to maintain the morale of his subordinates at a high level and to lead his personnel in an exemplary fashion, often in extremely hazardous situations by always demanding more of himself than of his subordinates and to personnally lead the way on all dangerous missions.
In particular:
1)As commander of a group of RDNAS (MLD) flying boats in Indonesia
between December 8th, 1941 and March 8th, 1942: a)For having flown numerous, often audacious reconnaissance missions and a few succesfull bombing raids; b)for taking off without hesitation with the flying boat X-30 during an attack on Ternate on December 17th, 1941, to pursue and engage a four-engined Japanese flying boat, during which action both aircraft were severely damaged; c)for rescueing a crew of his group after a daring bombing raid on Davao, Phillipines, by landing in a difficult and dangerous situation next to the downed aircraft and flying the crew to safety; d)for having flown to safety from the harbour complex of Tjilatjap in early March 1942 during the evacuation from Java, a DB 7 Boston light bomber which had just arrived from the US still in crates. Under his leadership, the aircraft was assembled and a makeshift runway constructed and without ever having flown an aircraft of this type; e)for having evacuated to Australia under extremely hazardous circumstances most of his personnel, flying the last remaining aircraft of his group.
2)As commander of 320 Sq. RDNAS on the Western Front between December
12th, 1943 and December 25th, 1944, with a temporary respite between June 28th and September 8th, for having flown a total of 80 missions against the enemy, often under heavy anti-aircraft fire and having led formations from 6 to 14 aircraft, many of these missions were eminently executed and much damage was caused to the enemy.
Furthermore for having inspired his subordinates by his perseverance, his courage and his qualities of leadership to mold his squadron in the Tactical Air Force, to which it was attached to a superb fighting unit which rated more than equal to British and other Allied squadrons.
Royal Decree dated December 11th, 1950 nr. 40