John Gordon Pattison | |
|---|---|
&sq=Google&lang=en&file=File:Pattison,_1943.jpg) Pattison during the Second World War | |
| Nickname(s) | Johnnie |
| Born | 27 January 1917 Waipawa, New Zealand |
| Died | 11 September 2009 (aged 92) Hastings, New Zealand |
| Allegiance | New Zealand |
| Service/ | Royal New Zealand Air Force |
| Years of service | 1939–1945 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Unit | No. 266 Squadron No. 92 Squadron No. 485 (NZ) Squadron No. 66 Squadron |
| Commands | No. 485 (NZ) Squadron |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Flying Cross Légion d'honneur |
John Gordon Pattison, DSO, DFC (27 January 1917 – 11 September 2009) was a New Zealand fighter pilot and squadron commander of the Second World War.
Born in Waipawa, New Zealand, Pattison joined the RNZAF on the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939. After completing flight training he was sent to the United Kingdom to serve with the Royal Air Force. He flew Supermarine Spitfires with Nos. 266 and 92 Squadrons during the Battle of Britain and later flew with No. 485 (NZ) Squadron. After a period of service on instructing duties from mid-1943 to mid-1944, he flew with No. 66 Squadron before being appointed commander of No. 485 (NZ) Squadron. He led the unit, part of the 2nd Tactical Air Force, on operations in France, Belgium and Holland from September 1944 to February 1945 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his service during this time. After the war, he returned to New Zealand and took up farming. In 2004, he was awarded the Légion d'honneur by the French government, in recognition of his services in the Normandy landings. He died in 2009, aged 92. At the time of his death he was one of the last surviving New Zealand fighter pilots of the Battle of Britain.