Guy Gibson | |
|---|---|
 Wing Commander Guy Gibson in 1944 | |
| Born | 12 August 1918 Simla, British India |
| Died | 19 September 1944 (aged 26) Steenbergen, Netherlands |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1936–1944 |
| Rank | Wing Commander |
| Service number | 39438 |
| Unit | No. 83 (Bomber) Squadron No. 29 Squadron |
| Commands | No. 106 Squadron (1942-43) No. 617 Squadron (1943) |
| Battles / wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Distinguished Service Order & Bar Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States) |
Wing Commander Guy Penrose Gibson, VC, DSO & Bar, DFC & Bar (12 August 1918 – 19 September 1944)[1] was a distinguished bomber pilot in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. He was the first Commanding Officer of No. 617 Squadron, which he led in the "Dam Busters" raid in 1943, resulting in the breaching of two large dams in the Ruhr area of Germany. He was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces, in the aftermath of the raid in May 1943 and became the most highly decorated British serviceman at that time.[2] He completed over 170 war operations before being killed in action at the age of 26.
- ^ Ottaway 2009, p. 1.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
decorationwas invoked but never defined (see the help page).