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| PERSONALIA |
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| Name: |
Cunningham, John "Cat's Eyes" |
| Date of birth: | July 27th, 1917 (Croydon/Surrey/England, Great Britain)
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| Date of death: |
July 21st, 2002 (Welwyn Garden City/Hertfordshire, Great Britain)
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| Nationality: |
British |
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DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS (DFC)
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Rank:
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Flight Lieutenant
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Unit:
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Auxiliary Air Force, No. 604 Squadron
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Awarded on:
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January 28th, 1941
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Action:
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Citation:
"During the past three months Flight Lieutenant Cunningham has carried out 25 night sorties during which he has destroyed two enemy bombers and succeeded in making seven interceptions. He has at all times shown the utmost enthusiasm to seek and destroy night raiders and has operated with confidence and success in extremely bad weather".
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DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER (DSO)
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Rank:
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Acting Squadron Leader
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Unit:
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Auxiliary Air Force, No. 604 Squadron
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Awarded on:
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April 29th, 1941
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Action:
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Citation:
"This officer has continued to display the highest devotion to duty in night fighting operations. One night in April, 1941, he destroyed two enemy bombers during a single patrol and a week later destroyed three enemy raiders during three different patrols. Squadron Leader Cunningham has now destroyed at least ten enemy aircraft and damaged a number of others. His courage and skill are an inspiration to all."
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DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS (DFC)
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Rank:
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Acting Wing Commander
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Unit:
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Auxiliary Air Force No.604 Squadron
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Awarded on:
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September 19th, 1941
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Details:
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Second DFC received as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.
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DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER (DSO)
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Rank:
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Atting Wing Commande
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Unit:
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Auxiliary Air Force, No.604 Squadron
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Awarded on:
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July 24th, 1942
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Action:
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Citation:
"A brilliant leader and a relentless pilot of matchless skill, Wing Commander Cunningham has destroyed at least 16 hostile aircraft, many of them at night, as well as damaging several more. One day recently, Wing Commander Cunningham destroyed an enemy aircraft without firing a shot. He achieved his purpose by diving through cloud at great speed and drove the enemy aircraft down to the ground".
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Details:
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Awarded as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DSO.
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DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER (DSO)
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Rank:
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Wing Commander
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Unit:
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No. 85 Squadron
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Awarded on:
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March 3rd, 1944
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Action:
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Citation:
"Within a recent period Wing Commander Cunningham has destroyed three more hostile aircraft and his last success on the night of 2nd January, 1944, brings his total victories to 20, all with the exception of one being obtained at night. He is a magnificent leader, whose exceptional ability and wide knowledge of every aspect of night flying has contributed in a large measure to the high standard of operational efficiency of his squadron which has destroyed a very large number of enemy aircraft. His iron determination and unswerving devotion to duty have set an example beyond praise".
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Details:
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Awarded as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DSO.
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SILVER STAR
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Rank:
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Acting Group Captain
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Awarded on:
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June 14th, 1946
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Provide alterations or additional information |
| Information source(s): |
- Wikipedia
- The Independent
- The London Gazette Issue 35057 published on the 28 January 1941
- The London Gazette Issue 35148 published on the 29 April 1941
- The London Gazette Issue 35279 published on the 19 September 1941
- The London Gazette Issue 35643 published on the 21 July 1942
- The London Gazette Issue 36406 published on the 29 February 1944
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36463 published on the 7 April 1944
- Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37610 published on the 11 June 1946
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