BRIDGES, F/O Harold Eugene (J10742) – Distinguished Flying Cross – No.77 Squadron – Award effective 3 October 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 2637/44 dated 8 December 1944. Home in Toronto; enlisted there 18 July 1941. Trained at No.1 ITS (graduated 25 September 1941), No.10 EFTS (graduated 5 December 1941) and No.6 SFTS (graduated 27 March 1942).
Award sent by registered mail 17 December 1948. Remained in postwar RCAF, (Colonel with NORAD, 1969), retiring as a Group Captain in 1972. Ordained an Anglican priest in 1975. Died in Ottawa, 20 June 1994.
In August 1944, this officer piloted an aircraft in an attack on an enemy storage depot in the Foret de Nieppe. Before reaching the target the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. Many holes were torn in the fuselage and mainplane. Three engines were damaged, one of them being completely put out of action. The air bomber was wounded. Considerable height was lost but Flying Officer Bridges retained control and went on to bomb the target. He afterwards flew the damaged bomber to an airfield in this country and effected a safe landing although the tail wheel had been badly damaged. This officer is a highly efficient and courageous captain. He has completed many sorties and has displayed the highest standard of devotion to duty.
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