McCUTCHEON, F/L Elvet Baxter (J25218) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.420 Squadron (deceased) - Award effective 15 January 1945 as per London Gazette dated 12 February 1946 and AFRO 322/46 dated 29 March 1946. Born 30 May 1914 in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan. Educated in Bridgeport (1922-17), Richmond (1928-29), and King Edward High School (1929-30). Home in Vancouver, British Columbia (farm hand around Chilliwack, 1930-31; operating own farm, Lulu Island, 1931, 1932), odd jobs as farm hand and contractor, 1932-1936; employed by Hudson Bay Company from 1936 onwards. Former member, 2nd Battalion, Canadian Seaforth Highlanders, July 1940 to RCAF service. Enlisted in RCAF, Vancouver, 26 June 1941. To No.2A Manning Depot, Penhold, 10 July 1941. To No.38 SFTS (guard duty), 28 July 1941. To No.4 ITS, Edmonton, 20 August 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 24 September 1941; posted next day to No.5 EFTS, High River; graduated 22 November 1941 and posted next day toNo.12 SFTS, Brandon; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 13 March 1942. To ?Y? Depot, Halifax, 15 March 1942; toi Central Flying School, Trenton, 26 April 1942. To No.16 SFTS, Hagersville, 20 June 1942. Promoted Flight Sergeant, 13 September 1942). Commissioned 23 February 1943. To ?Y? Depot, 19 July 1943. Promoted Flying Officer, 23 August 1943. To RAF Trainee Pool, 3 September 1943. Embarked from New York, 3 October 1943; disembarked in Britain, 16 October 1943. To No.18 (P) AFU, 11 January 1944. Attached to No.1513 Beam Approach Training Flight, 8-20 March 1944. To No.22 OTU, 18 April 1944. To No.61 Base, 6 July 1944.Attached to Dalton Battle School, 6-11 July 1944. Attached to No.1666 Conversion Unit, 11 July to 19 August 1944. To No.420 Squadron, 19 August 1944. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 4 November 1944. Killed in action 16/17 January 1945 (Halifax NA183); buried in Germany. Medal presented to next-of-kin. 8 April 1948. Flight Lieutenant McCutcheon has shown himself to be a keen and courageous pilot during the many attacks he has completed against major German targets. On one occasion his aircraft was detailed for a mission against Wilhelmshaven. Before crossing the French coast Flight Lieutenant McCutcheon\'s aircraft became involved in a collision and sustained very extensive damage. Undaunted, this officer continued his mission and pressed home his attack with commendable determination and skill. The original recommendation (found in DHH file 181.009, D.1730, Library and Archives Canada RG.24 Volume 20607) was raised by W/C W.G. Phalen on 8 December 1944 and read as follows: On the night of 15th October 1944, Flying Officer McCutcheon was detailed to attack Wilhelmshaven in Germany. Before crossing the French coast on the way to the target, another friendly aircraft flying nearby began violent evasive action, colliding with Flying Officer McCutcheon?s machine. Despite the fact that his own aircraft suffered extensive damage to the fuselage, wings and tail assembly, this officer, in characteristic fashion, decided to press home his attack which he did with commendable skill and returned to make a safe landing at base. Throughout his tour, this officer has displayed skill, courage and keenness of the highest order in his attacks on most heavily defended German targets, and his gallantry merits the highest praise. It is for this reason that I recommend Flying Officer McCutcheon for the immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. The website ?Lost Bombers? has the following on his last sortie. Halifax NA183, No.420 Squadron (PT-M), target Magdeburg, 16/17 January 1945. NA183 was one of four No.420 Squadron Halifaxes lost on this operation; the others were NA188, NA192 and NR205. Airborne at 1834 hours, 16 January 1945 from Tholthorpe. Shot down by a night- fighter, crashing at 2145 hours at Bokensdorf, 9 km northwest from the centre of Wolfsburg. Crew were F/L E.B.McCutcheon, DFC, RCAF (killed); F/O T.C.Jones (killed); F/O D.W.Ritchie, RCAF (wounded and hospitalized); F/O J.G.Welk, RCAF (killed); P/O J.G.Skidmore, RCAF (wounded and hospitaized); P/O G.A.Haacke, RCAF (wounded and hospitalized); P/O D.O.Mackey RCAF (injured and hospitalized).