GALLANT PILOT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 152, 29 June 1944, Page 2

GALLANT PILOT

WINS AMERICAN D.F.C.

OPERATIONS IN SOLOMONS

'At an investiture held at a R.N.Z.A.F. station near Auckland this morning the American Distinguished Flying Cross was presented to Flight-Lieutenant Maurice Richard Clarke, R.N.Z.A.F., by Commodore S. D. Jupp, senior United States Naval officer in New Zealand. Commodore Jupp, in presenting the honour, stressed the admiration and respect which Americans felt for members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force allied with them in the Pacific campaign. The citation accompanying the award read: "For heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands area on June 16 and July 1, 1943. As a member of a sixplane formation flying north-east of Savo Island on June 16, FlightLieutenant Clarke pressed home a bold attack on the enemy, making a stern run on two Zeros simultaneously and shooting them down with deadly and accurate fire. Again, on July 1, as one of an eight-plane formation, he downed another Zero and sent it crashing into the sea. His gallant fighting spirit and superb flying skill throughout these engagements'and during numerous patrols, escort missions and fighter interceptions, contributed materially to the success of our forces in this vital area." The citation is signed for the President by the late Secretary of the United States Navy, Colonel Frank Knox. Flight-Lieutenant Clarke was accepted for enrolment in the civil reserve of pilots in August, 1938. He qualified for his A license with the Western Federated Flying Club in New Plymouth and received his flying badge the following June. He was born in Dunedin in December, 1920, and was educated at the Wanganui Technical College. Prior to enlisting, he was employed by a firm of solicitors in Wanganui. He was recently mentioned in dispatches for distinguished service and devotion to duty. His wife is Mrs. K. E. Clarke, of Christchurch.