FURTHER HONOURS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25277, 14 July 1943, Page 2

FURTHER HONOURS

NEW ZEALAND SERVICEMEN NAVAL AND AIR AWARDS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 13. The Admiralty has advised the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, that the King has approved the award of a bar to the Distinguished Service Cross to Temporary Sub-lieutenant George James Macdonald, R.N.Z.N.V.R. Advice of the award of the D.S.C. to Lieutenant Macdonald was published on April 21 last year, the award being made for good service in attacks on an enemy convoy. His father is Mr John W. Macdonald, Government Life Insurance Department. Wellington. The award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to two New Zealanders serving with the Royal Air Force was announced to-day. They are Acting Group Captain Gordon John Grindell, A.F.C., and Flight Lieutenant Graham Lloyd Mandeno. “ Group Captain Grindell has invariably set a high example of- keenness, efficiency, and hard work, which are reflected in the finh spirit of his squadron and the eagerness of his living crews,” says the citation. “ While on operations he has shown a high standard of leadership and outstanding courage. He attacked such'targets as Dunkirk, the docks at Rotterdam, and railway centres in France, sometimes against heavy opposition.” “ With 29 sorties to his credit Flight Lieutenant Mandeno has a record of outstanding determination and efficiency,” the citation states. “In June last the aircraft he was piloting to make a night attack on Munster was damaged by an enemy fighter and became difficult to control. Nevertheless he continued to his target and bombed it. Five nights later he was on the way back from Cologne when his plane was hit by gunfire from an enemy aircraft. One of the port engines was put out of action, the petrol tank pierced and the elevator and tailplane damaged. Flight Lieutenant Mandeno flew the bomber to its base. On both of these missions he showed fine airmanship and courage.” Flight Lieutenant Mandeno, whose home is in Auckland, is a nephew of Mr H. D. Mandeno. of Dunedin.