TRIBUTE TO BRAVERY

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22474, 8 January 1943, Page 4

TRIBUTE TO BRAVERY

New Zealand Airmen Decorated (N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON. Jan. 7. Official notification of awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross to a Royal New Zealand Air Force officer and the Air Force Cross to a New Zealand officer serving with the Royal Air Force, while both were carrying out operational flying in the United Kingdom has been received by Air Headquarters, Wellington. The officers, who have now returned to carry out duty in New Zealand are Flight Lieutenant Andrew Frederick Henderson Tye, R.N.ZAJ’, who receives the D.F.C. and Squadron Leader Ernest William Tacon. D.F.C., R.A.F., who received the A.F.C. The citation in connection with Flight Lieutenant Tye states: "This officer completed his flying assignments mainly in difficult weather conditions of Icelandic area. He proved himself a skilful, fearless pilot and executed three determined attacks on a U-boat. On one occasion, when he was not fully qualified as a night pilot, he made a successful night landing on his return from an operational flight. He completed this difficult manoeuvre, despite the failure of one engine.” Flight Lieutenant Tye was born in Dunedin in 1922 and was educated at the George Street School and the Otago Boys’ High School. He applied for membership in the civil reserve of pilots in 1938, but was then too young for acceptance. He renewed his application in the following year, and was about to commence training with the Otago Aero Club when the war broke out. Flight Lieutenant Tye volunteered for direct entry into the R.N.Z.A.F. and was commissioned at the conclusion of his New Zealand training, embarking for overseas service in July 1940. Squadron Leader Tacon receives the Air Force Cross, following his being awarded the D.F.C. early in 1940. His award of the D.F.C. was made when he was a pilot officer, following his participation, together with a Canadian, in some particularly daring reconnaissance flying while searching for a German cruiser. The reconnaissance included some spectacular episodes. Squadron Leader Tacon, who is the second son of Mr and Mrs E. R. Tacon of Hastings, joined the R.N.Z.A.F. in July 1938, being a trainee of the Hawkes Bay-East Coast Aero Club under the civil reserve scheme. He left New Zealand in April 1938 to undertake flying duties with the R.A.F.