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McLean, John Sterling

    Date of birth:
    February 19th, 1912 (Hawera/North Island, New Zealand)
    Service number:
    32230
    Nationality:
    British

    Biography

    joined RAF 1932; commanded No. 111 Sqdn, 1941; Wing Leader, North Weald, 1941; commanded RAF Station, Hunsdon, 1941–42; RAF Station, Catterick, 1943; Staff duty, Organisation, No. 10 Fighter Group, 1944; commanded RAF Station, Preddanack, 1945.

    1 September, 1941: Temporary Wing Commander
    1 July, 1947: Wing Commander
    18 May, 1949: lowering rank to Squadron Leader on transfer to the Secretarial Branch
    1 July, 1950: Wing Commander
    1 July, 1957: Group Captain

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Wing Commander
    Unit:
    Royal Air Force
    Awarded on:
    October 17th, 1941
    Citation:
    "This officer has participated in 29 operational sorties. He has at all times shown the greatest courage and determination, often in the ace of heavy enemy attacks, and has destroyed at least 2 and amaged another hostile aircraft. His leadership and organising ability are of a very high standard."
    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Wing Commander
    Unit:
    H.M.S. Eagle (1918), Royal Navy
    Awarded on:
    September 1st, 1942
    Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
    Citation (general):
    "For skill and resource when H.M.S. Eagle was flying off fighter reinforcements for Malta."

    Sources

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