AIR AWARDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 114, 10 November 1943, Page 4

AIR AWARDS

DISTINCTION FOR N.Z. PILOT

The recent award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Flight Lieutenant Raymond Brown Hesselyn, D.F.M. and Bar, a 22-year-old New Zealand fighter pilot overseas,' makes him the only member of the R.N.Z.A.F. to' hold those three awards, and he is also the only man in the R.N.Z.A.F. to hold the bar to the D.F.M. Flight Lieutenant Hesselyn was reported missing last month. His father is Mr. G. A. Hesselyn, of Spreydon, Christchurch.

"Flight Lieutenant Hesselyn has destroyed at least 17 enemy aircraft," states the citation to his award of the D.F.C "His successes are a fine tribute to his great skill, courage, and keenness."

Early last year Flight Lieutenant Hesselyn was a sergeant pilot flying in a fighter squadron based on Malta. In May of the same year, having destroyed five enemy aircraft, two of which were shot down in one action, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal. The citation to that award paid tribute to his skill, gallantry, and determination. Later in the same month, during four operations, he destroyed five more aircraft, bringing

his score to 10. This fact was recognised with the award, of the bar to the Distinguished Flying Medal. Flight Lieutenant Hesselyn, who, was then a flight sergeant, having fought at great odds in the heavy raids at that time directed against Malta. Commissioned in November of last year, Filght Lieui tenant Hesselyn subsequently raised his (score to 17 enemy aircraft destroyed. "FINE FIGHTING QUALITIES." "This, officer has participated in many sorties, and has led his flight | with distinction on all occasions," be- I gins the citation to an award of the! Distinguished Flying Cross made to | Acting Flight Lieutenant Desmond Palmer Perrin, R.N.Z.A.F., of Invercargill. "In the course of his activities, Acting Flight Lieutenant Perrin has executed destructive attacks oh locomotives, rail installations, and enemy shipping," the citation continues. "On one occasion he obtained a hit on an ammunition truck, which blew up with such violence that his aircraft was endangered by the explosion. In addition, Acting Flight Lieutenant Perrin has destroyed a Messerschmitt 210. His fine fighting qualities have been highly commendable."