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| PERSONALIA |
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| Name: |
Ruttledge, Alfred John DeLaune |
| Date of birth: | 191 (Winnipeg/Manitoba, Canada)
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| Date of death: |
December 15th, 1944
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| Nationality: |
Canadian |
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BIOGRAPHY:
Service number J/15160.
Alfred Ruttledge and a crew of 4 members and 3 passengers died when their B-17 crashed at the Azores en route to Rockcliffe airbase, Ontario, Canada.
His name is mentioned on the Ottawa Memorial
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DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS (DFC)
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Rank:
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Flying Officer
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Unit:
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No.138 Squadron, Royal Air Force
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Awarded on:
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May 7th, 1943
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Action:
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Recommendation:
"Flying Officer Ruttledge has now completed 44 operational sorties of which 17 have been carried out with this squadron. In the last few months, he has carried out a large number of special missions, requiring particular skill and determination. The success of these missions has been due to Flying Officer Ruttledge's ability as a pilot, and his leadership as a captain of aircraft. During the last fourteen days, Flying Officer Ruttledge has, on five sorties, completed nine special missions, one of which had previously been attempted, without success, on nine occasions by other crews. This outstanding record has been a source of inspiration and a fine example to the other crews in the squadron."
The station commander added his remarks on 27 March 1943:
"This officer is now more than half way through his second operational tour. His work at this station has been very good indeed. Being extremely retiring and unostentatious in character, his merit is liable to be overlooked. I strongly endorse his squadron commander's recommendation."
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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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No.624 Squadron, Royal Air Force
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Awarded on:
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June 27th, 1944
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Action:
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Citation:
"Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in May 1943 this officer has continued operating with the greatest enthusiasm and has completed a further 41 sorties on special operations."
"He has flown over all occupied territories in Europe and has shown great determination and complete disregard for personal safety. His professional knowledge has greatly assisted the more inexperienced crews and he was always the first to volunteer for difficult and dangerous tasks. On one occasion he was detailed to carry out a mission involving a long and hazardous flight into central Europe and the nature of which precluded the possibility of carrying additional fuel. This officer set off and successfully completed his task although he knew that his fuel safety margin was of only a few minutes duration. His devotion to duty has at all times been most marked and he is strongly recommended for the non-immediate award of a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross."
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Details:
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Second DFC awarded as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.
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VLIEGERKRUIS (VK)
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Rank:
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Flight Lieutenant, (Flight Lieutenant)
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Unit:
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R.C.A.F. no. 138 Squadron
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Awarded on:
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July 3rd, 1945
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Action:
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Citation:
"Over a period of twelve months this officer completed six sorties of a special nature over Holland. He fully appreciated the very great hazards involved, but by the display of the highest degree of resolution, skill and leadership he set a most inspiring example to his contemporaries, and made a very fine contribution to the air effort in Holland."
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Details:
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Royal decree no.27
Canadian Gazette of 4 may 1946
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