Distinguished Flying Cross Crest of the Government of CANADA MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE FOR AIR OTTAWA September 12, 1945 Mr. And Mrs. R. H. Smith, 26 Furby Street, Suite 6, Winnipeg, Manitoba Dear Mr. And Mrs. Smith: I am writing to say that all ranks of the Royal Canadian Air Force join me in warmly congratulating you and the members of your family on the honour and distinction which have come to your son, Flying Officer Harry Vincent Smith DFC, through the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for gallantry in the performance of his duty while serving with No. 358 Squadron of the Royal Air Force. The citation on which this award was made reads as follows: “Flying Officer Smith completed much operational flying. He has displayed a high degree of skill and courage qualities which were well illustrated on one occasion in May 1945, when during a sortie his aircraft was attacked by nine enemy fighters. Although the aircraft was severely damaged and one engine put out of action in the first attack this captain and his crew fought with great resolution. The enemy pressed home further attacks with great persistence and Flying Officer Smith’s aircraft sustained further damage. Two more engines were put out of action and three members of his crew were killed. Even so Flying Officer Smith though wounded, successfully crash landed the crippled aircraft thus saving the lives of the remaining members of his crew. In the face of great odds this officer set a fine example of coolness and bravery.” The personnel of the Force are proud of your son’s fine Service record. With kindest personal regards, Yours sincerely, Colin Gibson Minister of National Defense for Air Croix de Guerre avec Etoile d’Argent  Campagnes pour la libération de la France (1944 - 1945) Décision No 1278 Le Général de Gaulle, Président du Gouvernement Provisoire de la République Francaise, Cite à la Ordre DE LA DIVISION F/O SMITH 358 Squadron Opération “MOUCHE” “Pour services exceptionnels de Guerre rendus au cours des opérations de libération de la France.” Cette Citation comporte l’attribution de la Croix de Guerre avec Etoile d’Argent. PARIS, le 2 Novembre 1945 (Awarded for an earlier mission into French Indo China). Escape from Siam RAF 358 Squadron, Burma 1945 Introduction: The 25th Mission The Mission Beginning B-24 Shot Down, then On to Bangkok Escape with the OSS Back at Calcutta Mission List Postscript 1: Vermont Christmas Re-Union Postscript 2: Restoring Crane No. 7862 Harry Smith's Awards More Siam 1945 RAF Memoirs of SE Asia: 358 Squadron Special Ops and P.O.W by William A. Pugh Introduction Arrival in India At Jessore, India From the Crash Site to Bangkok Bangkok P.O.W. Camp Escape and Return to the United Kingdom Back to War Lore: The List Back to Master Magazine List © Copyright 2002 by Harry Smith This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com