Decorations & Gallantry Medals > A Second War ‘Immediate’ D.F.M. to 431 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
A Second War ‘Immediate’ D.F.M. to 431 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force

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Prod. Code: 1199

A Second War ‘Immediate’ D.F.M. awarded to Flight Sergeant D. E. Gwynne-Vaughan, Royal Canadian Air Force, an air gunner with 431 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron who, during an attack on Pforzheim in February 1945, destroyed one Ju.88 and got a probable second.

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (CAN/R.224884 F/Sgt. D. E. Gwynne-Vaughan. R.C.A.F.)

Good very fine

D.F.M. London Gazette 5 June 1945.

The official citation for an immediate D.F.M. [published jointly with Flight Sergeant M. S. Jowett, 431 (R.C.A.F.) Squadron] states:

‘As air gunners, these airmen have participated in very many sorties. They have set a fine example of determination and throughout their devotion to duty has been unfailing. Their coolness and courage in combat was amply demonstrated on one occasion in February 1945, when attacking Pforzheim. During the operation their aircraft was attacked eight times by enemy fighters, but these gunners, by their good shooting and excellent co-operation, beat off their attackers, one of which was shot down. Their conduct throughout this spirited action was exemplary.’

The original recommendation for Gwynne-Vaughan’s immediate D.F.M., submitted on 27 March 1945, states:

‘Gwynne-Vaughan, Donald Ellesworth, Flight Sergeant, R.C.A.F., No. 431 (RCAF) Sqn. (Immediate)

Sorties 31, Flying hours 190.38. Air Gunner.

Flight Sergeant Gwynne-Vaughan is an Air Gunner who has been an exceptionally valuable member of his crew. His extreme courage and coolness under fire and his fine offensive spirit in the face of extreme danger have been an inspiration and example to the other members of his crew. During an attack on Pforzheim on 23rd February, 1945, Flight Sergeant Gwynne-Vaughan’s aircraft was attacked by Ju.88s. Due to the superior skill and dogged determination of the Air Gunners and their splendid co-operation with the remainder of the crew, all of these attacks were beaten off and Flight Sergeant Gwynne-Vaughan destroyed one of them and got a probable second. For his courage and coolness in combat together with his cheerfulness and spirit of co-operation with his crew and Gunnery Leader, I strongly recommend the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal for this N.C.O.’

Sold with copied London Gazette entry and recommendations for both airmen.

Info from RAF Honours and awards site which details all of his operations:

 

GWYNNE-VAUGHAN, FS Donald Ellsworth (R224884, later J94875) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.431 Squadron - Award effective 5 June 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1147/45 dated 13 July 1945. Born 11 April 1924 in Hamilton, Ontario; home there (clerk); enlisted there 2 April 1943 and posted to No.1 Manning Depot. To No.2 Manning Depot, 27 April 1943. To No.8 BGS (guard), 20 June 1943. To No.7 ITS, 24 July 1943; to No.1 Air Gunner Ground Training School, 11 September 1943; promoted LAC and posted to No.3 BGS, 29 October 1943; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 23 December 1943. To “Y” Depot, 14 January 1944. To No.4 Aircrew Graduate Training School, 16 January 1944; to “Y” Depot again, 14 February 1944. Taken on strength of No.3 PRC, Bournemouth, 5 March 1944. Commissioned 1 May 1945. Promoted Flying Officer, 1 November 1945. Repatriated 21 January 1946. Retired 13 February 1946. Cited with FS Moris S. Jowett (RCAF air gunner, awarded DFM). // As air gunners, these airmen have participated in very many sorties. They have set a fine example of determination and throughout their devotion to duty has been unfailing. Their coolness and courage in combat was amply demonstrated on one occasion in February 1945 when attacking Pforzheim. During the operation their aircraft was attacked eight times by enemy fighters, but these gunners, by their good shooting and excellent co-operation, beat off the attackers, one of which was shot down. Their conduct throughout this spirited action was exemplary. // DHist file 181.009 D.1634 (RG.24 Volume 20604) has recommendation by W/C W.F. McKinnon dated 27 March 1945 when he had flown 36 sorties (227 hours 49 minutes): // 7 August 1944 - Caen (4.05) // 11 August 1944 - Bois de Casson (5.05) // 14 August 1944 - Falaise (4.51) // 15 August 1944 - Soesterburg (4.00) // 18 August 1944 - Bremen (5.09) // 18 August 1944 - name of target indecipherable (5.50) // 25 August 1944 - Brest (4.56) // 27 August 1944 - Marquis (3.20) // 31 August 1944 - Cezembre (5.19) // 18 September 1944 - Domburg (4.27) // 20 September 1944 - Calais (3.18) // 25 September 1944 - Calais (5.00) // 28 September 1944 - Cap Gris Nez (3.45) // 4 October 1944 - Bergen name of target indecipherable (6.59) // 6 October 1944 - Dortmund (7.02) // 14 October 1944 - Duisburg (5.32) // 14 October 1944 - Duisburg (6.10) // 15 October 1944 - Wilhelmshaven (5.35) // 23 October 1944 - Essen (5.55) // 30 November 1944 - Duisburg (5.55) // 21 December 1944 - Cologne (6.31) // 28 December 1944 - Opladen (6.25) // 30 December 1944 - Cologne (6.34) // 2 January 1945 - Nuremburg (9.00) // 5 January 1945 - Hanover (5.49) // 6 January 1945 Hanau (7.52) // 7 January 1945 - Munich (8.55) // 14 January 1945 - Merseburg (8.38) // 1 February 1945 - Mannheim (7.45) // 2 February 1945 - Weisbaden (6.30) // 4 February 1945 - Bonn (6.14) // 7 February 1945 - Goch (6.14) // 13 February 1945 - Dresden (10.25) // 16 February 1945 - Chemnitz (8.45) // 20 February 1945 - Dortmund (6.36) // 27 February 1945 - Pforzheim (8.29) // 7 March 1945 - Dessau (9.36) // // Flight Sergeant Gwynne-Vaughan as an Air Gunner has been an exceptionally valuable member of his crew. His extreme courage and coolness under fire and his fine offensive spirit in the face of extreme danger have been an inspiration and example to the other members of his crew. During an attack on Pforsheim on February 23rd, 1945, Flight Sergeant Gwynne-Vaughan’s aircraft was attacked eight times by Ju.88s. Due to the superior skill and dogged determination of the air gunners and their splendid cooperation with the remainder of the crew, all of these attacks were beaten off and Flight Sergeant Gwynne-Vaughan destroyed one of them and shot [?] a probable second. For his courage and coolness in combat, together with his cheerful spirit of cooperation with his crew and Gunnery Leader, I should recommend the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medal to this Non-Commissioned Officer.