AMERICAN AIR MEDAL

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

AMERICAN AIR MEDAL

YOUNG MATAURA PILOT Flight Lieutenant R. C. Buchanan, who was recently awarded the United States Air Medal, is the youngest son of Mr and Mrs John Buchanan, cf Mataura. He was educated at the Mataura primary school and the Southland Technical College, and after passing the matriculation examination he joined the staff of the city engineer, Invercargill, as an engineering cadet. He enlisted for service in the R.N.Z.A.F. over two years ago. He is 21 years of age- ... ... . After his preliminary training In New Zealand. Flight Lieutenant Buchanan was sent to Canada where, with a big draft of New Zealanders, he completed the flying course and received a commission as pilot officer. He was then transferred to England and was posted to a bomber squadron. For several months he 'was engaged in operations over the North Sea and Europe, and in the course of many Continental excursions by his squadron he took part in the big bombing raids on Germany, northern France, and other targets. He also took part in the Dieppe raid, and sot>n afterwards was promoted to the rank of flying officer and sent on special duty to the Middle East. His operations have included service in Gibraltar and Malta. Flight Lieutenant Buchanan is one of three sons of Mr and Mrs Buchanan in the fighting services. Sub-lieuten-ant H. Buchanan is serving with the Royal Navy and Private lan Buchanan is with the N.Z.E.F. in the Middle East. -. ■