• Martin B-26 Marauder

Date of birth:

(Hartford/Connecticut, United States)

Nationality:

American

Sergenat James Reardon was bombardier on a Marauder of the 558th Bomb Squadron, 387th BG, on June 12th 1944, and was wounded on a low level mission over Normandy when a flak shell hit the front of the aircraft. Despite severe loss of blood, and withput telling the rest of his crew about his injuries, he stayed in his position and dropped his bombs. The Marauder was again hit, this time in the port engine and when the Marauder was back over the Channel he informaed the crew of his injuries, and they removed him from the nose of the aircraft and administered first aid. The pilot nursed the aircraft back to the UK, and Reardon was rushed to hospital, where he eventually recovered. He was recommended for the CGM on July 16th 1944, and the award was not gazetted, but was submitted to the King for approval in January 1945 and awarded soon after.

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• - 'Bravery Awards for Aerial Combat - Stories Behind the Award of the CGM (Flying)' by Alan W Cooper, page 179-180