Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

No. 429 (Bison) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force

Awarded on:

July 21st, 1944

Citation:
"Sergeant Steere, Sergeant Mangione and Sergeant Ritchie were flight engineer, mid-upper and rear gunners respectively of an aircraft detailed for a sortie on night in June 1944. Over the enemy coast the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire and the pilot was mortally wounded. He gave orders to the remainder of the crew to leave by parachute but Sergeant Steere, realizing that his comrade would be unable to follow, disregarded the order. He went to his wounded comrade and together they succeeded in regaining control of the aircraft. Sergeant Steere then discovered that Sergeants Mangione and Ritchie had also stayed in the aircraft and were ready to assist Sergeant Steere who had taken over the controls in an effort to fly the aircraft home. Although he had no previous experience he flew to an airfield. After making contact with the ground personnel by radio telephone he circled the airfield whilst Sergeants Mangione and Ritchie gave additional first aid to the pilot and then parachuted out of the aircraft on a static line in a last effort to save his life. Only when he was sure that his other two comrades had safely left the aircraft by parachute did Sergeant Steere then leave himself. In the face of a trying ordeal these airmen displayed great courage and devotion to duty setting an example of the highest order."

DFM's were awarded to Sergeant John Mangione and Sergeant Gordon Ritchie.