Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Warrant Officer

Unit:

No. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

July 21st, 1944

Citation:
"This officer and warrant officer were navigator and air bomber respectively of an aircraft detailed to attack a target at Nantes. Shortly after making the attack the aircraft sustained damage. The pilot was seriously injured and was unable to execute his duties. Despite his lack of experience, Warrant Officer Hurse took over the controls and with the assistance of Flying Officer Zillwood succeeded in flying the damaged aircraft to base.
These members of aircraft crew displayed exceptional coolness, great determination and devotion to duty in most difficult circumstances. They have completed very many sorties against heavily defended targets in Germany."

The DFC was awarded to Flying Officer Zillwood for the same action