HIGH HONOUR FOR AIRMAN

Southland Times, Issue 24986, 24 February 1943, Page 3

HIGH HONOUR FOR AIRMAN

GALLANTRY MEDAL (P.A.) WELLINGTON, February 23. The first award of the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal to a member of the R.N.Z.A.F. has been made to FlightSergeant Leslie Bruce Wallace, former - ly of Pareora, South Canterbury. The award has a high place in the list of medals awarded for gallantry and distinguished conduct and carries with it a high honour for the recipient. The citation states that in December last Flight-Sergeant Wallace was wireless operator in an aircraft making a night attack on Munich. During the outward flight the plane was intercepted by an enemy fighter. The bomb aimer was seriously wounded and Flight Sergeant Wallace received a leg wound. Some flares being carried in the aircraft caught alight and set fire to everything that would burn below the mid-upper gunner’s turret. Despite his injury, and showing complete disregard for personal danger, Flight Sergeant Wallace attempted to quell the flames. His action in jettisoning movable burning equipment finally resulted in the fire being subdued. On the homeward flight he showed great skill in obtaining fixed signalling and doing everything possible to assist the pilot to fly the damaged machine back to its base. This airman has completed numerous sorties and displayed great skill as an air bomber and front gunner. Flight-Sergeant Wallace, who is 24 years old, was born at Darfield .and educated at the Pareora East school. He was a member of the Railways Department until he entered the R.N.Z.A.F. in 1940. He volunteered for Air Force service shortly after the war broke out. His father is Mr A. R. Wallace, of Pareora.