5 June
On This Day, 1999: On 5 June 1999 RAF Tornados flew their first combat missions from Solenzara in Corsica during Operation Allied…
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Profiles of the men and women who shaped the Royal Air Force — from its founding officers to the aircrew, engineers and commanders of today.
Wing Commander
Guy Gibson
VC DSO & Bar DFC & Bar
12 August 1918 Distinguished Service Order & Bar
Guy Gibson led 617 Squadron on Operation Chastise, but his wider RAF career spanned 177 operations across Bomber and Fighter Command.
View profile → Nationality British
Service DSO awarded November 1942 for leadership of No. 106 Squadron. Bar awarded March 1943 for continued outstanding service on bomber operations.
Years served 1936 - 1944
Operations flown 177+
Era Second World War
VC
Victoria Cross Recipients
Members of the Royal Air Force and its predecessor services awarded the Victoria Cross — the highest decoration for valour in the face of the enemy.
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13 profilesC
John Alexander Cruickshank VC Flight Lieutenant · Aircrew · 20 May 1920–9 August 2025
Leonard Cheshire Distinguished Service Order (DSO and Two Bars) · Aircrew · Awarded for gallantry and distinguished service in bomber operations; awarded early in his operational career, with later Bars recognising further sustained leadership on operations.–Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
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Arthur Harris Marshal of the Royal Air Force · Senior Commander · 13 April 1892–5 April 1984
George Walton Holden Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar (DFC) · Aircrew · By February 1943 he held the Distinguished Flying Cross and was awarded a Bar while serving with 102 Squadron; the published citation referred to a sortie in January 1943 in which, despite severe icing, engine failure and difficulty in controlling the aircraft, he pressed on to bomb his target successfully.
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