Flight Sergeant ARTHUR LOUIS AARON
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
218 (Gold Coast) Sqdn.
Died 14 August 1943
Age 21 years old
- Country of Service United Kingdom
- Awards Victoria Cross, Distinguished Flying Medal
- Additional Info Son of Mr. and Mrs. B. Aaron, of Gledhow, Leeds, Yorkshire.
- Personal Inscription "AN EXAMPLE OF COURAGE SELDOM EQUALLED BUT NEVER SURPASSED"
- Additional Citation note
The London Gazette of 7th November, 1943, gives the following details in the citation. On the night of 12th August, 1943, Flight-Sergeant Aaron was captain and pilot of a bomber detailed to attack Turin. When approaching its target, the aircraft was hit by fire from an enemy fighter, which caused it to become unstable and difficult to control. Flight-Sergeant Aaron was wounded in the face and lung, and his right arm was rendered useless. After a rest, he made determined efforts to take control again - persuaded to desist, he wrote instructions with his left hand, and guided the bomb-aimer in the hazardous task of landing the damaged aircraft at Bone in North Africa. Nine hours after landing, he died of exhaustion. In appalling conditions he showed the greatest qualities of courage, determination and leadership, and though wounded and dying, he set an example of devotion to duty which has seldom been equalled and never surpassed.
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