Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Sergeant

Unit:

No. 625 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

April 24th, 1945

Citation:
"This airman was the wireless operator in an aircraft detailed to attack Pforzheim one night in February, 1945. Soon after the target had been bombed the aircraft sustained serious damage.  Several small fires commenced but Flight Sergeant Bettany, displaying great promptitude and bravery, dealt with most of them effectively. Some few minutes later, one of the starboard tanks exploded and set the starboard outer engine on fire.  The pilot gave the order to abandon the aircraft.  The intercommunication system was out of action so he requested Flight Sergeant Bettany to give the message verbally to the mid-upper and rear gunners. As he made his way along the fuselage, this airman's parachute caught on some wreckage and opened.
Undaunted, Flight Sergeant Bettany completed his errand and ensured that his comrades were clear before he, himself, donned the spare parachute and jumped. His coolness, bravery and resolution in a critical situation set an example of the highest standard."