Aircrew

Profiles of aircrew who served with the Royal Air Force and its predecessor services.

7 Profiles
Featured Aircrew

Major

James McCudden

VC DSO and Bar MC and Bar MM Croix de Guerre (France)
28 March 1895 9 July 1918 aged 23

James McCudden VC rose from air mechanic to major, becoming one of Britain's most decorated First World War fighter aces before his death in 1918.

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Nationality British
Service Royal Engineers; Royal Flying Corps; Royal Air Force
Years served 1910-1918
Era First World War

Aircrew · 7 profiles

Aircrew

Douglas Bader

Group Captain

Knight Bachelor CBE DSO & Bar 21 February 1910–5 September 1982
Aircrew

George Walton Holden

Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar (DFC)

Wing Commander 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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Aircrew

Guy Gibson

Wing Commander

VC DSO & Bar DFC & Bar 12 August 1918–Distinguished Service Order & Bar
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Aircrew

James McCudden

Major

VC DSO and Bar MC and Bar 28 March 1895–9 July 1918
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Aircrew

John Alexander Cruickshank

Flight Lieutenant

VC AE 20 May 1920–9 August 2025
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Aircrew

Leonard Cheshire

Distinguished Service Order (DSO and Two Bars)

other 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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Aircrew

Thomas Mottershead

Sergeant

VC DCM 17 January 1892–12 January 1917