BROOMFIELD, FS James Orville (R60150) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.462 Squadron - Award effective 10 January 1944 as per London Gazette dated 18 January 1944 and AFRO 410/44 dated 25 February 1944. Born 20 July 1919. Home in Turner Valley, Alberta; enlisted Calgary 10 June 1940 as Wireless Operator. To No.1 WS, 19 August 1940. To No.2 WS, 28 March 1941. Reclassified as Wireless Electrical Mechanic, 30 March 1941. Promoted AC1, 30 March 1941. To No.4 WS, 7 July 1941. To No.16 SFTS, 18 August 1941. Promoted LAC, 1 October 1941. Remustered to aircrew, 4 January 1942 and posted to No.6 ITS; graduated 27 February 1942 but not posted to No.14 EFTS until 14 March 1942; may have graduated 5 June 1942 but not posted to No.4 SFTS until 20 June 1942; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 9 October 1942. To “Y” Depot, 23 October 1942. To RAF overseas, 27 October 1942. Promoted Flight Sergeant, 9 April 1943. Promoted WO2, 9 October 1943. Commissioned, 4 November 1943. Repatriated 27 November 1944. To No.2 Air Command, 16 January 1945. To No.1 CNS, 22 January 1945. To “Y” Depot, Moncton, 9 March 1945. To RAF overseas, 18 March 1945. Repatriated 13 June 1945. Trained for Tiger Force; retired 24 September 1945. Presented at Government House 14 January 1947. Died in Willow Creek, Alberta, 1970. This airman has had much success in bombing sorties and has recently been employed in flare dropping. On a high proportion of his missions he has been responsible for the efficient immunization [illumination ?] of the target, often remaining in the area for long periods and making as many as seven runs to ensure the success of the sorties. This airman has invariably displayed outstanding leadership and devotion to duty. NOTE: Public Records Office Air 2/9153 has recommendation dated 22 October 1943 which has a more detailed text and a list of 27 sorties (185 hours 25 minutes): 27 April 1943 - GARDENING, Frisian Islands (3.40) 28 April 1943 - GARDENING, Danish Coast (6.35) 29 June 1943 - Messina (6.05) 22 June 1943 - Reggio (6.40) 14 July 1943 - Messina (7.20) 17 July 1943 - Reggio (6.40) 23 July 1943 - Reggio (7.15) 30 July 1943 - Reggio (7.15) 5 August 1943 - San Giovanni (6.50) 22 August 1943 - Crotonne (6.50) 27 August 1943 - Crortone (7.15) 3 September 1943 - Grotaglie (8.15) 7 September 1943 - Manduria (7.30) 10 September 1943 - Potenza (8.15) 13 September 1943 - Potenza (8.25) 25 September 1943 - Hassini (1.00, DNCO) 27 September 1943 - Larissa (7.55) 29 September 1943 - Argos (6.15) 2 October 1943 - Calato (7.40) 3 October 1943 - Heraklion (5.30) 5 October 1943 - Maritza (8.15) 7 October 1943 - Maraklion (6.05) 9 October 1943 - Maritza (7.15) 11 October 1943 - Meritza (8.45) 16 October 1943 - Maritza (5.30) 18 October 1943 - Antimachia (8.20) 20 October 1943 - Maritza (8.05) This Non-Commissioned Officer has completed 27 night sorties as captain of an aircraft totalling 185 hours operational flying. Since he was so consistently successful on bombing sorties he has recently been employed as a flare dropper in conjunction with Flight Sergeant Browne\'s crew. On seven sorties out of ten Sergeant Broomfield has been responsible for locating, identifying and illuminating the target, and as a result of his excellent leadership in flight planning and his determination to illuminate the target for the bombers, which often resulted in his remaining in the target area for periods of over 35 minutes, and doing as many as seven runs over the target to keep it illuminated, the success of many raids by the wing can be attributed to Sergeant Broomfield and his crew who have seldom failed to bring back a photograph of the target in spite of accurate opposition. Sergeant Broomfield is recommended to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for outstanding leadership and devotion to duty.