the unofficial homepage of Tiger Squadron 

Medals and Awards

The Distinguished Flying Cross 

NOTE: On 22 January 1945 he was reported missing, believed killed. He actually survived, but a report filed by F/L J. Carr (Acting Commanding Officer, No.439 Squadron) makes for interesting reading:

Nine aircraft of this squadron took off at 1610 hours on 22 January 1945 led by S/L Crosby, on a Ramrod carrying 1,000-lb bombs (C.25 tail fused), to dive bomb the town of Uetterath, Germany, which is about five miles north of Geilenkirchen [sic]. On reaching the target area, the squadron orbited once over the target and then S/L Crosby led it into a 70° dive from approximately 7,500 feet. He appeared to fly straight into a concentrated barrage of heavy, light and accurate flak. At 1645 hours, his No.2, F/O Harrison, saw strikes on his aircraft and almost immediately a huge black puff of black smoke which turned into a red ball of flame. The whole of the aircraft with the exception of the engine and parts of the wings disintegrated and went down flaming and crashed into the town of Uetterarth. F/O Harrison claims that the bombs were still on when the aircraft exploded but lost sight of them in the debris. S/L Crosby was not seen to have baled out.

The information contained in this segment is provided by The Air Force Association of Canada and Hugh A. Halliday who is the author of the RCAF Personnel - Honours & Awards - 1939-1949 which can be found on the Air Force Association of Canada Website. Used with permission and sincere gratitude.

Additional Resources Canadian Medals and Decorations