Keith William Truscott | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Truscott c. 1941 | |
| Nickname(s) | "Bluey" |
| Born | 17 May 1916 South Yarra, Victoria |
| Died | 28 March 1943 (aged 26) Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service/ | Royal Australian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1940–1943 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Unit | No. 452 Squadron (1941–42) |
| Commands held | No. 76 Squadron (1942–43) |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar Mentioned in Despatches |
Keith William "Bluey" Truscott, DFC & Bar (17 May 1916 – 28 March 1943) was a World War II ace fighter pilot and Australian rules footballer with the Melbourne Football Club. After joining the Royal Australian Air Force in 1940, he became the second-highest-scoring Australian World War II ace, credited with 20 confirmed victories and 5 unconfirmed victories.[1]
After completing flying training in Canada, Truscott served in Britain flying Spitfire fighters. He returned to Australia in early 1942 and served in New Guinea, where he fought during the climactic Battle of Milne Bay. He was killed in a joint Australian–US training exercise off the coast of Western Australia in March 1943, aged 26.
- ^ Dennis et al (2008), p. 535.