FAMOUS N.Z. AIRMAN

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25141, 24 March 1947, Page 8

FAMOUS N.Z. AIRMAN

FLIGHT LIEUTENANT R. S. D. KEARNS SERVICE WITH PATHFINDER GROUP (P.A ) AUCKLAND. March 23. The first New Zealand pilot to join the famous Pathfinder force of the Royal Air Force, Flight Lieutenant R. S. D. Kearns. D. 5.0.. D.F.C., D.F.M., of Reefton, was a passenger on the Rangitata. which arrived from England to-day. He was accompanied by his wife and child. Flight Lieutenant Kearns left New Zealand in 1941 as a sergeant pilot, and completed one tour of duty with No. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron, flying Wellingtons. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal in September. 1942, and was shortly after promoted to his present

rank. When the first Pathfinder group was formed, Flight Lieutenant yearns and his New, Zealand crew were posted to No. 156 Squadron, and took part in the early Pathfinder raids over Germany. They were one of the first crews to wear the distinguishing badge of the force. Flight Lieutenant* Kearns was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1943 for his work with the group, and was later posted to instructional duties for a rest. He returned to operational flying when he was posted to the special duties squadron of the Pathfinder group. For his work on low-level marking in Mosquitoes. Flight Lieutenant Kearns received an immediate award of the Distinguished Service Order. After V-E Day he was seconded to British Overseas Airways Corporation, and flew for six months as captain of a Lancastrian on the HeathrowKarachi route. He has returned to New Zealand for discharge from the Air Force.