Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flying Officer

Unit:

No. 299 Squadron, Royal Air Force (No. 299 Squadron, Royal Air Force)

Awarded on:

January 9th, 1945

Citation:
"This officer has completed numerous sorties, some of them calling for a high degree of skill and resolution. On one occasion in September, 1944, he piloted an aircraft detailed to drop supplies to our ground forces in an area in Holland. Over the target, intense anti-aircraft fire was encountered.
Just as the last of the containers had been released, the aircraft was hit. Much damage was sustained. One member of the crew was killed and a second member was wounded. The aircraft went out of control, diving steeply. Much height was lost before Flying Officer Hardwick succeeded in levelling out. Although the damaged aircraft was difficult to control this resolute pilot flew it to base and made a safe landing. Flying Officer Hardwick displayed commendable skill and coolness in hazardous circumstances."