HONOUR FOR NELSON AIRMAN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 6 February 1941, Page 5

HONOUR FOR NELSON AIRMAN

DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS THREE NEW AWARDS OUTSTANDING SERVICES [United Press Association] WELLINGTON, This Day. According to advice received by Air Headquarters yesterday, three more New Zealanders serving with the Royal Air Force have been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. They Acting Flight Lieutenant John James McKay, Nelson. Flying Officer Geordie Keith Larney, Hamilton. Flying Officer Kenneth William Tait, Wellington. These awards bring the total of Distinguished Flying Crosses awarded to New Zealanders to 55, including two with bar, and the total of all awards to 71 since the outbreak of war. Flight Lieutenant McKay was born in Nelson and is 24 years old. He was educated at Nelson College and was prominent in many branches of sport, particularly football and cricket. He was selected for a short service commission in the Royal Air Force in 1937, and left in the latter half of that year. He has served with the Royal Air Force since. He is a son of- Major J. G. McKay, 0.8. E., and Mrs McKay. Flying Officer Larney was born in Wellington and is 28 years old. He was educated at Hamilton Technical High School. He was a flying member of the Wellington Aero Club. He was trained by the Royal New Zealand Air Force and in the middle of 1939 was selected for a short service commission in the Royal Air Force. He has since then served with the Royal Air Force. His next-of-kin was Mr C. B. Larney (father). Flying Officer Tait was born in Wellington and is 22 years old. He was educated at Wellington College.- In sport he was a member of the College first fifteen. He was selected for a short service commission in the Royal Air Force in 1937, and left New Zealand late in that year. His next-of-kin was Mr W. J. Tait (father). THE CITATIONS [U.P.A.-By Electric Telegraph-Copyright] (Received 6th February, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, sth February. The official citation says that Flight Lieutenant McKay has completed 37 operational missions since the j outbreak of the war. These included: operations over Germany, Italy, France, Norway and the Low Countries. He is exceptionally keen in his work as a heavy bomber pilot of the highest category. His courage and determination in pressing home attacks regardless of the opposition has been outstanding. Flying Officer Larney has been continually employed on active operations, at first as a pilot and later as captain of aircraft since the beginning of 1940. He has participated in 30 major bombings over enemy and enemy-occupied territory in addition to several other operational missions. He has always shown the greatest determination in locating targets and pressing home; attacks. He gained the complete confidence of his crew by his efficiency and devotion to duty. Flying Officer Tait last August led a section in an attack against a large formation of enemy fighters and he succeeded in destroying two. Flying Officer Tait has displayed exceptional courage and devotion to duty over a long period in operations both in France and England. He has destroyed at least six enemy planes.