MURRAY, F/L Frederick Thomas (J18113) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.401 Squadron - Award effective 9 March 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 625/45 dated 13 April 1945. Born 28 May 1922 at Windsor, Ontario; raised by his mother and aunt, Annette Montgomery-Campbell in Fredericton and Saint John, New Brunswick. Attended Rothesay Collegiate School in Rothesay, New Brunswick. Home in Saint John, New Brunswick (bank clerk and ex-Royal Canadian Artillery). Enlisted in Moncton, 2 August 1941. To No.5A Manning Depot, 26 August 1941. To No.31 OTU, 11 October 1941. To No.3 ITS, 23 November 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 17 January 1942 but not posted to No.22 EFTS until 1 February 1942; may have graduated 27 March 1942 but not posted to No.2 SFTS until 11 April 1942; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 31 July 1942. To “Y” Depot, 14 August 1942; to RAF overseas, 20 April 1942. Commissioned 17 June 1943; promoted Flying Officer on 17 December 1943; promoted Flight Lieutenant on 24 December 1944. Further trained at No.5 (P) AFU (11 September to 13 October 1942) and No.53 OTU (13 October 1942 to 13 January 1943). With No.412 Squadron (13 January 1943 to 24 March 1944 and 3 October to 24 December 1944) and No.401 Squadron (24 December 1944 to 22 February 1945). Shot down and taken prisoner, 22 February 1945, repatriated to Canada on 1 June 1945, released 28 August 1945. Following the war, he attended the University of New Brunswick; graduated with a degree in Forest Management. Married 17 December 1949 at the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Erie, Pennsylvania. They began working in Kedgwick, New Brunswick (International Paper Company, Superintendent of Logging Operations). Supervised one of the last logging river drives in Eastern Canada. In 1956 he moved to Erie, Pennsylvania. Worked for Hammermill Paper Company for 29 years as manager in their Northern Timberlands Division. Died in Erie, 26 December 2018. Aerial victories as follows: 26 November 1944, one FW.190 destroyed, Venlo; 5 December 1944, two Bf.109s destroyed southwest of Wesel plus one Bf.109 probably destroyed; 29 December 1944, one FW.190 destroyed. Munster/Rheine; 14 January 1945, one FW.190 destroyed, Munster; 23 January 1945, two Ar.234s damaged at Munster (one further damaged, shared with eleven other pilots). // Flight Lieutenant Murray has completed very many sorties including a number of successful attacks against locomotives and other targets on the ground. In air combat he has destroyed five enemy aircraft. This officer has set a fine example of skill, courage and tenacity. // NOTE: Public Record Office Air 2/9044 has recommendation dated 15 January 1945 drafted by S/L W.T. Klersy. Murray had then flown 125 sorties (180 hours) and was “A” Flight Commander. // Flight Lieutenant Murray has displayed an exceptionally high standard of courage and devotion to duty in his 180 hours of operational flying. Under his able leadership, his flight has destroyed many enemy aircraft and has had spectacular success in shooting up enemy locomotives and ground targets. // On the 5th December 1944, Flight Lieutenant Murray was leading a section of five aircraft from No.412 Squadron on a dive-bombing mission when they encountered 50-plus Messerschmitt 109s. Flight Lieutenant Murray attacked immediately with the result that his section destroyed four enemy aircraft and probably destroyed another. Of these, Flight Lieutenant Murray personally accounted for two destroyed and one probably destroyed. On January 14th, 1945, Flight Lieutenant Murray showed exceptional leadership while leading the squadron on a combined Armed Reconnaissance Fighter Sweep. Flying over Twente aerodrome, he observed enemy aircraft taking off and immediately got the squadron in position for attack. Waiting for all the enemy to get airborne he led an attack into them, resulting in the destruction of five Focke Wulf 190s. Flight Lieutenant Murray personally accounted for one, bringing his total score to five destroyed and one probably destroyed. // This officer’s keenness and devotion to duty have set a fine example for the other members of his squadron and he has played a most commendable part in the squadron’s success. // This was minuted on 23 January 1945 by W/C D.B. Russel: // This officer has displayed great courage and initiative in seeking out and destroying the Hun wherever he can be found. I strongly recommend him for an immediate Distinguished Flying Cross.