DE SOLLA, F/L Henri (J14707) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.425 Squadron - Award effective 11 April 1944 as per London Gazette dated 21 April 1944 and AFRO 1075/44 dated 19 May 1944. American in the RCAF; born 16 June 1912; home in Forrest Hills, New York; enlisted Montreal, 17 January 1941 as Equipment Assistant. To School of Technical Training, St. Thomas, 28 February 1941. To No.3 WS, 25 April 1941. Remustered to aircrew and posted to No.2 ITS, 6 December 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 31 January 1942 but not posted to No.2 EFTS until 28 February 1942; graduated 23 May 1942 and posted to No.11 SFTS; graduated and commissioned 9 October 1942. To \"Y\" Depot, 23 October 1942. To RAF overseas, 27 October 1942. Promoted Flying Officer, 9 April 1943. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 9 January 1945. Repatriated to Canada, 22 January 1945. To No.1 Air Command, 2 February 1945. To No.10 BGS, 6 March 1945. To AFHQ, 27 April 1945. Released 24 September 1945. No citation other than \"...completed...many successful operations against the enemy in which [he has] displayed high skill, fortitude and devotion to duty.\" Recommendation dated 16 December 1943 found in DHist file 181.009 D.1730 (PAC RG.24 Vol.20607) when he had flown 37 sorties (222 hours 55 minutes). This officer has now completed a tour of operations in a most satisfactory manner. He is a skilled and reliable pilot who has captained his aircraft and achieved splendid results on many occasions. He has taken part in a variety of targets and has frequently secured excellent photographic evidence of accurate bombing. Throughout these operations he has at all times displayed a high degree of courage and initiative. This officer\'s conduct and devotion to duty, both in the air and on the ground, has set a fine example and is worthy of high praise. The sortie list was as follows: 14 April 1943 - Stuttgart (3.35, second pilot, duty not carried out) 16 April 1943 - Mannheim (7.50) 3 June 1943 - England to North Africa (17.00) 26 June 1943 - Seiason (4.05, target name indistinct, second pilot) 28 June 1943 - Messina (5.45) 1 July 1943 - Cagliari (5.15) 2 July 1943 - Albia (5.30) 4 July 1943 - Villandeci (4.45, target name indistinct) 5 July 1943 - Corbini (4.05) 7 July 1943 - Catania (4.10) 9 July 1943 - Catania (4.40) 10 July 1943 - Corbini (5.20) 14 July 1943 - Naples (6.05) 17 July 1943 - Monte Cervinia (1.35, duty not carried out, target name indistinct) 19 July 1943 - Capodichino (6.30, target name indistinct) 22 July 1943 - Salerno (5.55) 26 July 1943 - Monte Cerveria (7.10, target name indistinct) 28 July 1943 - Capodichino (5.55, target name indistinct) 2 August 1943 - Naples (7.05) 5 August 1943 - Messina (5.50) 7 August 1943 - Messina (5.40) 10 August 1943 - Messina (6.00) 12 August 1943 - Messina (5.15) 16 August 1943 - Piaso (6.05, target name indistinct) 19 August 1943 - Foggia (5.55) 25 August 1943 - Taranto (6.35) 1 September 1943 - Aversa (5.55, target name indistinct) 4 September 1943 - Orgaziani (6.00, target name indistinct) 7 September 1943 - Viterba (6.45) 10 September 1943 - Fermia (6.45) 12 September 1943 - Castel Neauve (6.35, target name indistinct) 14 September 1943 - Battapaglia-Chold (6.25, target name indistinct) 16 September 1943 - Cisteria (6.05, target name indistinct) 19 September 1943 - Messereta (5.35, target name very indistinct) 3 October 1943 - battle area with nickles (5.25) DE SOLLA, F/L Henri, DFC (J14707) - Mention in Despatches Overseas - Award effective 14 June 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1600/45 dated 12 October 1945.