Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Pathfinder's D.F.M. group of five awarded to Flight Sergeant J.F. Stearne, 156 Squadron, Royal Air Force

DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL, G.VI.R. (960576 F/Sgt., R.A.F.); 1939-45 STAR; AIR CREW EUROPE STAR; DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS, these last four privately named (960567 W/O, D.F.M., R.A.F.) together with gilt Pathfinder's Wings, nearly extremely fine (6)

D.F.M., London Gazette, 12 December, 1944. The following details were extracted from official records: 'Flt. Sgt. Stearne has completed 44 operational sorties, 35 of which have been with the P.F.F. Some of the targets have been heavily defended areas in Germany, including 7 on Berlin. This N.C.O. is a keen and determined Gunner, and his vigilance and efficiency has on many occasions been contributory to successful evasions of enemy aircraft. During combats with the enemy he has proved himself to be a cool and courageous Gunner and has been a valuable asset to his crew. He has set a high standard of devotion to duty.'

Awarded Pathfinders Badge, 6 September 1944, by Air Vice Marshal Bennett, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O.

Elected Life Member of the Gold Fish Club, the membership of which is restricted to airmen who have saved their lives by an emergency dinghy. The citation said it was for ‘outstanding courage and devotion to duty shown over a period of two operational tours (79 Sorties). Trip to the German Naval Base of Kiel on the night of 26th August, 1944, when in spite of an attack by a night fighter which put two of the Bomber's engines out of commission, the crew pressed on to its objective, found and marked the target and continued to stay in the area to direct the attack until the last Bomber had left. As the crew left the target area, they were again attacked by a night fighter, which put a third engine on fire, and made their return to this country impossible. The attacking fighter was destroyed by the rear gunner, and confirmed by other aircraft. Although realising that they could only keep their aircraft in the air for a matter of minutes, they did not escape by parachute, but headed the aircraft out to sea. Whilst losing height rapidly and eventually ditched the aircraft in the North Sea 10 miles from the German Coast. After being in the dinghy for 48 hours, they were picked up by a Danish fishing boat which was returning to Denmark but the fishermen were persuaded to head for England where they were eventually escorted into Grimsby Harbour. The crew returned to their base 5 days after taking off.'