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Heard, Bernard William

Service number:
128964
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Promotions:
19 september 1942: Pilot Officer (probation/emergency)
19 maart 1943: Flying Officer (probation/war sub)
19 september 1944: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Flying Officer
Unit:
No. 172 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
February 8th, 1944
Citation:
"One night, these officers were rear gunner and pilot respectively of an aircraft which sighted a iully surfaced U-boat. Pilot Officer Armstrong immediately .went into the attack and straddled the vessel with depth charges. Despite heavy fire from the submarine's guns, Pilot Officer Armstrong made 2 'more runs over the vessel and released more depth charges with great accuracy from a very low level. This officer displayed great skill, courage and determination. In the action, Flying Officer Heard was severely wounded in the leg and the arm but he displayed outstanding fortitude and praiseworthy devotion to duty, setting a splendid example."

Awarded simultaneously to Pilot Officer Armstrong

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Sources

  • - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35768 published on the 30 October 1942
    - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36059 published on the 15 June 1943
    - Fifth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36368 published on the 4 February 1944
    - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36755 published on the 17 October 1944

Photo