Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Pilot Officer

Unit:

No. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron, Royal Air Force (No. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron, Royal Air Force)

Awarded on:

October 8th, 1940

Citation (London Gazette):
"One night in September 1940, this officer successfully pressed home, in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire and searchlight glare, a dive-bombing attack on a concentration of barges in Antwerp Docks. During the dive his aircraft was severely damaged by gunfire from the ground defences and was rendered temporarily out of control. Since March 1940 Pilot Officer Lewis has taken part in 38 operational flights over enemy territory, and as a captain of aircraft has displayed outstanding coolness, determination and devotion to duty."

Public Record Office Air 2/9489 recommendation for a DFC dated 27 August 1940.
"Since 1 March 1940 this officer has carried out 35 operational flights over enemy territory with conspicuous success and gallantry, totalling over 200 hours operational flying. Some of the missions undertaken have been of an arduous nature and have necessitated sea crossing of over 800 miles.
He has always displayed the utmost coolness and determination in pressing home his attacks, often in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire. To his fellow pilots, his consistency has set an example of resourcefulness and determination to do his duty."

18 September 1940, Officer Commanding, RAF Station Waddington, submitted a further recommendation (Public Record Office Air 2/9456):
"On the night 17th/18th September 1940, Pilot Officer Lewis successfully pressed home a dive bombing attack on a concentration of barges in Antwerp docks.
During the preliminary reconnaissance over the target area, the aircraft was subject to intense and accurate enemy anti-aircraft fire and searchlights. During the dive bombing attack, intense anti-aircraft fire and tracer severely damaged the tailplane in seven places, the starboard engine and the fuselage, causing the aircraft to be temporarily out of control.
Since 1 March 1940, Pilot Officer Lewis has taken part in 38 operational flights over enemy territory and has completed over 200 hours operational flying. As captain of aircraft he has displayed outstanding tenacity, determination and devotion to duty, and in pressing home his attacks he has shown the utmost coolness and determination, often in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire.
On 19 September 1940, Air Vice Marshal A.T. Harris added his comments:
Strongly recommended. This pilot has done consistently good work."

Air Ministry Honours Committee:
"Since March 1940, this officer has carried out 35 [sic] operational flights over enemy territory, totalling over 200 hours flying. Some of the missions undertaken have been of an arduous nature and necessitated sea crossing of over 800 miles. Pilot Officer Lewis has carried out these flights with conspicuous gallantry and success; he has displayed the utmost coolness, pressing home his attacks, often in the face of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, with a determination which has proved an inspiring example to his fellow pilots."

LG 34964/5901.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Pilot Officer

Awarded on:

January 1st, 1941