Austin, John Beech

Date of birth:: July 17th, 1917 (Sutton Coldfield/West Midlands, Great Britain)
Date of death:: January 12th, 2012
Service number:: 104448
Nationality:: British

Biography

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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Flying Officer
Unit:: No. 138 (Special Duties) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: February 13th, 1942

Citation:
"Pilot Officer Austin has completed many operations, and has displayed a high degree of skill in completing his tasks successfully."

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Flight Lieutenant
Unit:: No. 138 (Special Duties) Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: July 9th, 1943

Citation:
"Since the award of the DFC, Flt. Lt. Austin has completed numerous operations. On one occasion, while he was still several hundred miles from base, his aircraft developed trouble with its flaps which caused it to become practically out of control. After a considerable effort, FIt. Lt. Austin was able to regain control, and by his determination and skill he eventually flew back to base. In May, 1943, this officer again returned to this country safely, although his aircraft had been severely damaged by anti-aircraft fire and one engine was not functioning."

Second DFC awarded as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.

Vliegerkruis (VK)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Squadron Leader
Awarded on:: July 3rd, 1945

394th Award.
Royal Decree No.27, July 3rd, 1945.

Sources

- MEIJER, H.G. & VIS, R., Het Vliegerkruis, De Bataafsche Leeuw, Amsterdam, 1997.
- Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35454 published on the 10 February 1942
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36084 published on the 6 July 1943
- Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37300 published on the 5 October 1945
- The Dutch Medals Page
- Unithistories
- The Telegraph - Obituaries
- Flight Global - Archive