Dave Shannon

Dave Shannon
Flight Lieutenant Shannon shortly before taking part in the "Dambusters" raid with No. 617 Squadron RAF, May 1943
Born	27 May 1922 Unley Park, South Australia
Died	8 April 1993(1993-04-08) (aged 70) Denmark Hill, London, England
Allegiance	Australia
Service/branch	Royal Australian Air Force
Service years	1940–45
Rank	Squadron Leader
Unit	No. 106 Squadron RAF (1942–43) No. 617 Squadron RAF (1943–44) No. 511 Squadron RAF (1944–45) No. 246 Squadron RAF (1945)
Battles / wars	World War II European theatre Battle of the Ruhr Operation Chastise Operation Garlic
Awards	Distinguished Service Order & Bar Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar
Relations	Howard Huntley Shannon (father) John Wallace Shannon (grandfather)
Other work	Business executive

David John Shannon, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar (27 May 1922 – 8 April 1993) was an Australian bomber pilot of World War II, known for his part in the "Dambusters" raid on the night of 16/17 May 1943. Born in South Australia, Shannon joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in 1941 and learned to fly under the Empire Air Training Scheme. After further training in the United Kingdom he was posted to No. 106 Squadron RAF, operating Avro Lancaster heavy bombers, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in January 1943.

In March 1943, Shannon was selected by No. 106 Squadron's commanding officer, Wing Commander Guy Gibson, to join the newly formed No. 617 Squadron for Operation Chastise, the attack on the dams of the Ruhr valley. Awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) following the raid, Shannon continued to fly with No. 617 Squadron until October 1944, during which time he earned bars to his DSO and DFC. He was then assigned to transport duties, first with No. 511 Squadron and then, in March 1945, with No. 246 Squadron. Ranked squadron leader, Shannon was demobilised after the war and remained in England, becoming an executive with Shell. He died in South London in 1993, aged seventy.