Nigel Manfred Park | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 6 March 1921 Gisborne, New Zealand |
| Died | 25 October 1942 (aged 21) |
| Buried | No known grave |
| Allegiance | New Zealand |
| Service | Royal New Zealand Air Force |
| Years of service | 1941–1942 † |
| Rank | Pilot Officer |
| Unit | No. 126 Squadron No. 122 Squadron |
| Battles / wars |
|
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Medal |
Nigel Manfred Park, DFM (6 March 1921 – 25 October 1942) was a New Zealand fighter pilot and flying ace of the Second World War. He was credited with having shot down at least ten aircraft.
Born in Gisborne, Park enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Air Force in May 1941. After receiving flight training in New Zealand and then Canada he was sent to the United Kingdom to serve with the Royal Air Force. He briefly flew with No. 122 Squadron on the Channel Front before being sent as a reinforcement pilot to the island of Malta in July 1942. Posted to No. 126 Squadron, he had destroyed two enemy aircraft within two weeks of his arrival on Malta, and had further successes over the next few months. He went missing, presumed killed, on operations on 25 October. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal.