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| PERSONALIA |
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| Name: |
Cleaver, Richard Frank Wharton |
| Date of birth: | April 9th, 1920 (Portland/Maine, United States)
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| Nationality: |
British |
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BIOGRAPHY:
Servicenumber 1457098/124411, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserves.
Promotions:
?: Sergeant;
19th June 1942: Pilot Offiver on probation (emergency);
19th December 1942: Flying Officer on probation (war subs.);
19th June 1944: Flight Lieutenant (war subs.);
1st September 1945: Flying Officer (permanent);
1st July 1946: Flight Lieutenant;
19th December 1946: Squadron Leader.
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DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER (DSO)
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Rank:
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Flying Officer
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Unit:
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No. 295 Squadron, Royal Air Force
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Awarded on:
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October 29th, 1943
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Action:
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Received in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations during the invasion of Sicily. He towed glider from the United Kingdom to Northern Africa and then to Sicily. After successfully dropping the glider at the target he returned to North Africa with a badly shot up plane on three engines.
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Details:
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The London Gazette, 29th October 1943.
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DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS (DFC)
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Rank:
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Flight Lieutenant
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Awarded on:
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October 3rd, 1944
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Action:
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Citation:
"In air operations this officer has displayed skill, courage and devotion to duty of the highest order."
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Details:
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The London Gazette, 3rd October 1944.
Was shot up over Cognac while returning from an aborted night SOE mission. Successfully landed the unstable burning plane after the crew had baled out. Subsequently escaped through Southern France and the Pyrenees returning via Gibralter.
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RIDDER VIERDE KLASSE DER MILITAIRE WILLEMS ORDE (MWO.4)
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Rank:
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Acting Squadron Leader
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Unit:
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Royal Air Force
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Awarded on:
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July 31st, 1945
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Awarded for:
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Operation Market Garden
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Action:
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Recommendation:
For having distinguished himself during the fighting at Arnhem between September 17th and 25th, 1944 by having performed outstanding acts of bravery, tact and loyalty; for having shown an extraordinary devotion to duty and great perseverance throughout and having been an inspiration to all in those glorious days by having set a most meritorious example.
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Details:
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Royal Decree No.29, dated July 31st, 1945.
Conferred by The London Gazette of 1st January 1946.
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Provide alterations or additional information |
| Picture source: |
- Philip Cleaver
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| Information source(s): |
- MAALDERINK P.G.H., De Militaire Willemsorde sedert 1940, Sijthof Pers, 1982.
- The Dutch Medals Page
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 28th August 1942, Issue 35686, dated 1st September 1942
- Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 26th January 1943, Issue 35881, dated 29th Janury 1943
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 26th October 1943, Issue 36226, dated 29th October 1943
- Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 25th July 1944, Issue 36629, dated 28th July 1944
- Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 29th September 1944, Issue 36728, dated 3rd October 1944
- Ninth Supplement to The London Gazette of 28th December 1945, Issue 37415, dated 1st January 1946
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 3rd May 1946, Issue 37556, dated 7th May 1946
- Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 11th October 1946, Issue 37758, dated 15th October 1946
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette of 25th February 1947, Issue 37892, dated 28th February 1947
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