British DFC
 

Does anyone know the best way to search for the whole award description of the British DFC awarded to a USA pilot ? I have tried the Carter book but it just gives the approval date. The London Gazette gives the approval date also. I am referring to my cousin Maj Don Beerbower 354th FG.
Thanks.

Re: British DFC
 

Do you know any details of why he was awarded a British DFC - was he at one time serving in the RAF before transferring to the USAAF?

What date was given for his award?

Re: British DFC
 

You need to post this question at http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/index.php and hope that Hugh Halliday responds.

Re: British DFC
 

As far as I know, if there is no citation given in the London Gazette, then there was no official citation prepared, or available. However, for WW2, the recommendation for awards can usually be found in Air 2 at the NA/PRO. Unfortunately, NA/PRO does not have an index to Air 2. Air 2 is rather voluminous, and each piece in Air 2 can contain 50 or more recommendations. The only index to Air 2 is held by the RAF, with their officers records. At this point I do not remember the name, or address of this office. In the past I was able to phone them up and request the Air 2 references for one or two individuals, and they were able to look them up while I waited. So if someone can point you at that office you can get the reference; then you will have to access the records at NA/PRO, which you will be able to copy. Or if you are in the US you can request NA/PRO to copy the recommendation for a fee.

Enjoy!

Frank.
Historian, American Fighter Aces Association.

Re: British DFC
 

Thanks for your response,
I assume that it was awarded in recognition of his decorations and the fact that he was credited with 15 1/2 victories at the time of his loss.
He never served in the RAF.
I do not have the date when it was awarded. The approval date was 1-18-45.
Ben Beerbower

Re: British DFC
 

Thanks SteveB,
I will follow this up.
Ben Beerbower

Re: British DFC
 

Ben,
I just checked my copy of the Carters' two volumes on the British DFC, and my comments are incorrect with regard to awards to Americans. The section on foreign awards in Volume 2 is titled Honorary Awards. Almost without exception, Honorary Awards were never published in the London Gazatte. With regard to awards to someone from occupied Europe, the reason is obviously to avoid repercussions to family members. I do not know why they would not publish awards to Americans however.

According to the book the details for awards for 1945 can be found in Air30/186, or Air2/9006, Air2/9022 and Air2/9115.

Foreigners received a DFC for services to the Crown, but not necessarily while employed by the Crown. For example, Tex Hill received one for operations in Burma in 1942 with the AVG; Bob Galer received one for operations in the British Solomon Islands in 1942; Levi Chase recived one for operations in Burma in 1944/45, and a Bar for operations in Korea in 1952.

And a question for you: by any chance do you have copies of Don Beerbower's combat reports?

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: British DFC
 

Frank, Thanks for the information. I am not familiar with the Air/2 and Air30 but I will see what I can find. You may not be aware that Paul Sailer has spent years researching Don Beerbower's life and I am sure that he has his combat reports. His book will be published this fall.
Ben

Re: British DFC
 

Ben,
The NA/PRO is organized by Cabinet office, unlike the US NA which is organized by arbitrarily numbered record groups (RG) which typically are part of a cabinet office. NA/PRO records starting with Air are from the old Air Ministry. Air 2 and Air 30 contain recommendations for awards, and the individual file or piece numbers are given in my earlier post; these would be used to order the pieces for review at Kew (NA/PRO).

Could you put me in touch with Paul Sailer, or him with me? A PM to me through this board will work, or I can be emailed through the board.

Enjoy!

Frank.

Re: British DFC
 

Ben,

My last two emails to you were rejected. Please advise via email
at: aaatripp@cox.net

Thanks,
Tripp