HAY, F/O Wellington Bart (J5489) - Mention in Despatches - Award effective 1 June 1943 as per London Gazette dated 2 June 1943 and AFRO 1247/43 dated 2 July 1943. American in the RCAF; born 25 May 1917 at Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York. Family moved to London when he was three and he was educated at St. Aubyn’s School and Stowe School. Back to United States, graduated from Yale University. Home in Millbrook, New York. First impulse was to join RAF. Enlisted in RCAF, Ottawa, 19 September 1940. To No.1 WS, 11 October 1940. To No.1 ITS, 15 November 1940; graduated and promoted LAC, 22 December 1940 when posted to No.4 EFTS; graduated 21 February 1941 but posted to No.4 Manning Depot. To No.9 SFTS, 9 March 1941; graduated and commissioned 28 May 1941. To Embarkation Depot, 9 June 1941. To RAF overseas, 21 June 1941. Initially served on No.242 Squadron. He accompanied the unit to Gibraltar, and then moved on to Malta. Late in November (1941), P/O Hay had a spectacular crash (exact date unknown), overshooting Hal Far in bad visibility, and ending up in a muddy field at the end of the runway. Hay was uninjured (Hurricanes Over Malta bu Brian Cull). Ended up in Egypt, serving on No.238 Squadron. He claimed a damaged Ju 87, west of El Alamein (flying Hurricane IIb 'J'), on 16th July, 1942. On 31 August 1942 his Hurricane, BP359 'H', was hit by flak and crash-landed at base (damage Cat I). Hay was uninjured. (HMAW2/320-1). On 4th November, 1942, F/O Hay was shot down by flak at Galal (in Hurricane II HL980 'H'). He baled out safely, paddled ashore, and evaded capture, reported safe, 15 November 1942. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 29 May 1943. Attained rank of Squadron Leader, 13 March 1944. Repatriated 19 May 1945. Retired 12 July 1945. Settled in New Canaan, Connecticut; worked for Cushing Book Store; opened Sandpiper Bookshops and Sandpiper Book Services. Died in New Canaan, 19 November 2012. RCAF photo PL-27170 (ex UK-9690 dated 17 May 1944) shows him alone. RCAF Photo PL-27171 (ex UK-9691 dated 17 May 1944) shows S/L Wellington B. Hay (new CO of No.417 Squadron) talking to one of his flight commanders, F/L George “Topsey” Turvey. // HAY, S/L Wellington Bart (J5489) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.417 Squadron - Award effective 2 October 1944 as per London Gazette dated 10 October 1944 and AFRO 2534/44 dated 24 November 1944. // Squadron Leader Hay served with distinction throughout the last Western Desert campaign. More recently he has led his section against many difficult targets in Italy. He has always displayed outstanding coolness and resource and under his leadership the squadron has inflicted considerable damage on the enemy's lines of communications and mechanical transport. // RCAF Press Release No. 7277 by S/L K.A. MacGillvray, dated 7 November 1944 reads as follows: // WITH RCAF IN THE MIDDLE EAST - On the conclusion of his second distinguished tour of operations, which he finished as Commanding Officer of the crack RCAF “City of Windsor” squadron in Italy, Squadron Leader Wellington Burt Hay has been awarded the DFC. S/L Hay, an Anglo-American, was raised and educated in England but his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Hay, Sr., now reside in Millbrook, New York State. // S/L Hay achieved prominence early in his first tour more than two years ago when serving with an R.A.F. fighter squadron in the Western Desert. He was shot down into the sea, and made his way in his rubber dinghy to the shore-line deep behind the enemy lines. After hiding for some days, he set out for the British lines. His shoes became worn out and Hay completed the arduous journey with his rubber dinghy paddles fastened to his feet with torn strips of cloth, in lieu of footwear. For this exploit, he received a mention in dispatches. // Hay’s subsequent operational career throughout his first and second tours included service in Tripolitania, Malta, Sicily, Italy, and the Anzio Beachhead. He relinquished his command of the “City of Windsor” squadron early last summer on the conclusion of his second tour. At present he is attached to a Training Unit of the Desert Air Force in an executive instructional capacity.