D.F.C. TO N.Z. AIRMAN

Grey River Argus, 8 October 1942, Page 4

D.F.C. TO N.Z. AIRMAN

POSTHUMOUS AWARD. P.A. i WELLINGTON, October 7.' . Recognition of one of'the /.'most spectacular epics of the air war. has been given in the announcement of the ward of the Distinguished Flying Cross to the late Acting-Flight Lieutenant Owen iVncent Tracey, R.A.F. formerly of Dunedin. .. . He saw a comrade .parachute from his aircraft while in combat with enemy fighters over the Western Desert. At great risk to himself,' Tracey followed the parachuting airman to the ground, landed and picked him up, and brought him back to the base in his fighter aircraft. The D.F.C. is not awarded posthumously, and the decision to make this award was made before Tracey’s death was officially presumed by the Air Ministry a short time ago. His widow resides at Harrow, Middlesex, England, and his mother is Mrs M. E. Tracey, Dunedin. i The citation accompanying the award describes the incident recorded above, and adds that Tracey took part in a long-range flight during the Crete evacuation. In addition, hp led his flight in practically every operational 1 flight his squadron carried out. During the present campaign in the Western Desert, it is known that he actually destroyed six enemy aircraft, but it is thought that he accounted for many more than those officially recorded. Tracey, by virtue of his outstanding keenness, proved and inspiration to all who came in contact with him.

He was born at Dunedin, in March. 1915, and educated at Onehunga and Oamaru* He gained his pilot’s A License as a member of the Otago Aero Club early in 1937. and after being selected for a short service commission with the Roval Air Force, sailed for England in June. 1939. to commence training.