Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Sergeant

Unit:

No. 218 (Gold Coast) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

April 13th, 1945

Citation:
"This airman was the wireless operator in an aircraft detailed to attack Neuss one night in January, 1945. During the operation the aircraft . sustained severe damage In spite of this the pilot succeeded in reaching Allied .territory where he was forced to give the order to abandon as the aircraft had now become uncontrollable. One member of the crew, whose parachute had opened by accident inside the fuselage, was therefore unwilling to jump. He asked to be allowed to strap himself to Flight Sergeant Longley's back.  The latter, without the slightest hesitation, agreed.  After the two airmen had been strapped together they made their way, in total darkness, to the jumping point. On the way the ripcord of Flight Sergeant Longley's parachute caught in a projection.  Although the parachute opened he was able to catch and hold the case intact and, with his comrade on his back, jumped clear of the aircraft. Unfortunately, in the descent, his comrade fell away. Flight Sergeant Longley came down on to a tall tree from which he fell to the ground and badly injured his back. His action in allowing a comrade to descend with him on a single parachute, although unavailing, showed a spirit of gallantry and self-sacrifice which will long be remembered."