D.S.O. FOR DOMINION PILOT
HOLDER OF FOUR AWARDS
(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)
(Rec. 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 11. The Distinguished Service Order has been awarded to Wing Commander W. V. C. Compton, of Auckland, who already holds the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar. and the United States Army Air Force’s Silver Star. Wing Commander Compton is one of New Zealand’s ace fighter pilots. He began his career as a sergeant in the New Zealand Spitfire Squadron. He has now shot down 14J. German aircraft, and in the six weeks since he began to lead the wing it has accounted for 23 enemy aircraft for the loss of only two of its own machines. Wing Commander Compton is now New Zealand’s most decorated fighter pilot. Flying Officer R. B. Hesselyn, D.F.M. and Bar, of Christchurch, who has shot down 16J enemy machines, flies in Wing Commander Compton’s wing. Wing Commander Compton regards Flying Officer Hesselyn as the fastest and quickest thinking New Zealander he has ever seen in the air.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24051, 13 September 1943, Page 6
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168D.S.O. FOR DOMINION PILOT Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 24051, 13 September 1943, Page 6
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