Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

No. 433 (Porcupine) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force

Awarded on:

October 13th, 1944

"In August, 1944, Flying Officer Simpson was captain of an aircraft detailed for a daylight attack on Bois de Casson. When leaving the target his aircraft was heavily hit by anti-aircraft fire. The bomber went into a steep dive and Flying Officer Simpson found the controls useless, but after ordering the crew to prepared to abandon aircraft, he regained control by the skilful use of his throttles and ailerons. It was then discovered that the control rods to the elevator and rudders had been severed in three places. Under Flying Officer Simpson's directions Sergeants Brown and Budd effected skilful temporary repairs and by pulling and pushing at the broken end of the controls enabled Flying Officer Simpson to fly the bomber back to this country where the crew abandoned the aircraft by parachute. These members of aircraft crew displayed great fortitude, skill and determination."