GILL, F/L Robert Frederick (J4900) - Air Medal (United States) - No.430 Squadron (AFRO gives unit only as 2nd Tactical Air Force) - Award with effect from 3 July 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 602/46 dated 14 June 1946. Born in Verdun, Quebec, 19 November 1921; home there. Enlisted in Montreal, 23 September 1940. To No.2 ITS, 14 October 1940; graduated and promoted LAC, 15 November 1940 when posted to No.10 EFTS; graduated 4 January 1941 when posted to No.5 SFTS; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 20 March 1941. To Trenton, 30 March 1941; commissioned 20 April 1941. To No.8 SFTS, 22 February 1942; promoted Flying Officer, 1 May 1942; to No.13 SFTS. 7 July 1942. To No.1 OTU, 20 November 1942. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 20 March 1943. To “Y” Depot, 27 March 1943. To UK, 2 April 1943. Attended No.41 OTU. With No.430 Squadron, 27 August 1943 or 27 August 1944 to 1 June 1945. Repatriated July 1945. Retired 4 September 1945. Died in Montreal, 14 March 1983. Public Records Office Air 2/9090 has recommendation by S/L C. Bricker dated 23 March 1945 when he had flown 90 sorties (127 hours 40 minutes). // Operations by this pilot have been many and varied including not only the normal duties of a pilot but also two periods of duty on a Contact Car, working in close liaison with Army fighting formations. His service in the latter field of activity proved of great value. // Missions flown by this officer included Tactical Reconnaissance, Photo Reconnaissance and Artillery Reconnaissance and results have been consistently good. The keenness he displayed in carrying out these sorties successfully was in some measure due to his appreciation of Army problems, gained partly through experience with the Contact Car. // On June 23rd, 1944, operating from the United Kingdom, [he] carried out a Tactical Reconnaissance (two aircraft) of the city of Cherbourg. This operation was of marked importance to the Allied Air Forces since the exact location of some American units was not known. The reconnaissance was carried out at zero feet, despite the intensity and accuracy of enemy flak. Two runs were made from south to north and two runs from west to east from which an excellent appreciation of the battle situation was obtained. Pictures were taken to confirm Tactical Reconnaissance information. // Probably drafted by his Flight Commander as this is followed by Comment by Squadron Commander: // This officer has carried out 90 operations over enemy territory and has produced good results regardless of enemy opposition. He has continued to keep himself well informed on Army matters, providing a source of information for other pilots of the Squadron. As a section leader he always gained the confidence of those pilots flying behind him. // NOTE: When finally published in USAAF Orders this had been reduced to the following. // Flight Lieutenant Gill has completed numerous operational flights over enemy territory and has shown little regard for enemy opposition. His missions have been varied and the results consistently good. In June 1944 he carried out an important reconnaissance of Cherbourg at extremely low level, despite the intensity and accuracy of anti-aircraft fire. He has also participated in several missions in direct support of the Allied armies. He is a most courageous and resourceful leader.