McCRORY, P/O James Anthony (J87060) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.429 Squadron - Award effective 2 October 1944 as per London Gazette dated 17 October 1944 and AFRO 2637/44 dated 8 December 1944. Born in Montreal, 17 February 1915; home there; enlisted Montreal, 27 July 1942 and posted to No.5 Manning Depot. To No.9 BGS, 10 October 1942. Promoted LAC, 21 November 1942; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 30 December 1942. To “Y” Depot, 13 January 1943; to RAF overseas, 25 January 1943. Promoted Flight Sergeant, 30 June 1943. Commissioned 22 May 1944. Promoted Flying Officer, 22 November 1944. Repatriated 14 May 1945. To No.1 Air Command, 27 May 1945. To No.14 SFTS, 17 June 1945. To Release Centre, 8 August 1945; released 22 August 1945. RCAF photo PL-28584 (ex UK-9212 dated 1 April 1944) shows part of a No.426 Squadron crew after a raid on Frankfurt being taken by truck to interrogation; left to right are P/O W.R. Shellington (wireless operator, Brantford), Warrant Officer George Lebel (rear gunner, Cacouna, Quebec), FS J.A. McCrory (mid-upper gunner, Montreal) and F/O J.R. Soutar (navigator, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia). Presented 25 February 1949. No citation other than "completed...numerous operations against the enemy in the course of which [he has] invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty". DHist file 181.009 D.2609 (RG.24 Vol.20627) has recommendation dated 23 July 1944 when he had flown 29 sorties (186 hours), 7 October 1943 to 4 July 1944. This air gunner has done twenty-nine trips, five of which have been on berlin, and many others against heavily defended targets. Throughout his tour he has shown a fine offensive spirit and devotion to duty which are outstanding. His ability as a gunner is above average and his keenness on operations has contributed greatly to the success of the operations and the safety of the aircraft. He has earned the confidence of his captain and crew and this has contributed to their determination to press home their attacks. The sortie list was as follows: 7 October 1943 - Stuttgart (7.10) 8 October 1943 - Hanover (4.45) 18 October 1943 - Hanover (5.55) 20 October 1943 - Leipzig (7.25) 22 October 1943 - Kassel (4.00, abortive sortie) 18 November 1943 - Berlin (2.40, returned early) 23 November 1943 - Berlin (6.35) 26 November 1943 - Berlin (3.05, abortive sortie) 5 January 1944 - Stettin (8.30) 14 January 1944 - Brunswick (5.15) 20 January 1944 - Berlin (7.30) 21 January 1944 - Magdeburg (6.30) 27 January 1944 - Berlin (8.15) 28 January 1944 - Berlin (7.30) 30 January 1944 - Berlin (6.45) 24 February 1944 - Schweinfurt (8.45) 25 February 1944 - Augsburg (7.50) 7 March 1944 - Le Mans (5.30) 15 March 1944 - Stuttgart (8.20) 18 March 1944 - Frankfurt (5.15) 26 March 1944 - Essen (5.15) 10 April 1944 - Laon (5.20) 24 April 1944 - Karlsruhe (6.25) 26 April 1944 - Essen (5.05) 19 May 1944 - Le Clipon (4.00) 24 May 1944 - Aachen (4.30) 7 June 1944 - Acheres (4.50) 10 June 1944 - Versailles (5.10) 15 June 1944 - Boulogne (4.00) 21 June 1944 - Oisemonte (4.05) 25 June 1944 - Gorenflos (3.50) 4 July 1944 - Villeneuve St. George (6.00)