Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second War D.F.C. and American Silver Star group of six awarded to Squadron Leader Gilbert Wood, Nos. 103 and 35 Squadrons, Royal Air Force

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse dated 1943; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals; U.S.A., Silver Star, with case of issue for this, together with companion set of miniatures, both groups mounted as worn, good very fine (12) £900-1100

D.F.C. London Gazette 14 September 1943. The recommendation states: ‘Flying Officer Gilbert Wood, Bomb Aimer, No. 103 Squadron, No. 1 Group R.A.F. Flying Officer Wood has now completed 25 operational sorties, the targets including Berlin (twice), Kiel, Hamburg and most of the heavily defended Ruhr targets. Under a calm and quiet manner this officer possesses a fine offensive spirit in action and a staunch determination to press home his attacks with the greatest possible accuracy and effectiveness. His high sense of duty and the conscientious manner in which he carries out his work both in the air and on the ground have set a very fine example in the Squadron.’

U.S.A. Silver Star London Gazette 10 June 1946. The recommendation states: ‘Acting Squadron Leader, No. 35 Squadron, Visual Bombing Leader. Since he was awarded the D.F.C. Squadron Leader Wood has completed 33 operational sorties as an Air Bomber in heavy bombers. Many of these attacks have been made in the Master Bomber aircraft and some have been in support of American ground forces. On the night of 24th May 1945, Squadron Leader Wood volunteered for a special mission which involved the dropping of much needed supplies into the hospital compound of the Prisoners of War Camp at Neubrandenburg. The mission was not granted safe conduct by the enemy and involved a long flight at very low altitude rarely in excess of 500 feet. The successful dropping of the containers into a very small area was completed by Squadron Leader Wood after a most accurate run up to the target at an altitude of 150 feet.’ Only 29 awards of the American Silver Star to the R.A.F. during the Second World War.

The medals are sold with further details and are accompanied by the following original documents: original copy Birth Certificate dated 3 January 1910; two wartime photographs of Wood in uniform with his wife and others; letter from the Military Air Attache, American Embassy, dated 31 October 1946, forwarding the Silver Star, together with General Orders describing services for which it was awarded; Ministry of Defence letter of thanks on his retirement from the R.A.F., dated 20th November 1965; an official R.A.F. Record of Service, dated 21 September 1966; and an attractive illuminated certificate upon his stepping down, in April 1963, as R.A.F. Commander at R.A.F. Upper Heyford, where he served with Strategic Air Command, 3918th Combat Support Group.