Richard John Cork | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Dickie |
| Born | 4 April 1917 London, England |
| Died | 14 April 1944 (aged 27) China Bay, British Ceylon |
| Buried | Trincomalee British War Cemetery, Ceylon |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1939–1944 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Commander |
| Unit | Fleet Air Arm |
| Commands | 15th Naval Fighter Wing 880 Naval Air Squadron 761 Naval Air Squadron |
| Battles / wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Service Cross |
Richard John Cork, DSO, DSC (4 April 1917 – 14 April 1944) was a fighter ace in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Cork served in the Battle of Britain as the wingman for Douglas Bader of No. 242 Squadron RAF. When he returned to the Fleet Air Arm in 1941, Cork served with 880 Naval Air Squadron in the Arctic, Mediterranean and Indian Ocean. It was during Operation Pedestal in 1942 that he became the only Royal Navy pilot to shoot down five aircraft in one day, and was the leading naval ace using the Hawker Hurricane.[1] He was given command of the 15th Naval Fighter Wing aboard HMS Victorious before being killed in a flying accident over Ceylon in 1944.