Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare and early Korean War D.F.M. group of seven awarded to Master Signaller G. J. F. McCourt, No. 205 Squadron, Far East Flying Boat Wing, Royal Air Force

Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (1625446 Sgt., R.A.F.); Defence & War Medals; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (Sgt., R.A.F.); Korea 1950-53 (Sgt., R.A.F.); Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (M. Sig., R.A.F.) the group mounted as worn, together with congratulatory letters from Wing Commander D. MacKenzie (Far East Flying Boat Wing) and Air Commodore W. A. Opie (R.A.F. Base, Seletar, Singapore), and Central Chancery Investiture letter, minor contact wear, otherwise nearly extremely fine and extremely rare (7) £4000-5000

See Colour Plate VII

D.F.M. London Gazette 31 August 1951. One of only three awarded in 1951. A total of 28 D.F.M’s awarded for Korea, 8 to the Royal Air Force, 18 to the Royal Australian Air Force, and one each to the K.R.R.C. and Glider Pilot Regiment. Approximately 25 D.F.M’s were awarded with the 2nd issue bust of King George VI.

The following details are taken from the Straits Times, Singapore announcing the awards: ‘Korea War Awards for S’pore Airmen. Honours and awards for 16 Singapore-based fliers for Korean War operations are announced in today’s issue of the London Gazette. There are Distinguished Flying Crosses for two officers and one Master Engineer, a Distinguished Flying Medal for a Sergeant radio operator, and Mentions in Despatches for six officers and six N.C.O.-aircrew. The awards relate to operations between Jan. 1 and June 30 this year, carried out over and around Korea by Sunderland flying boats of the Far East Flying Boat Wing, Seletar.

The D.F.M. awarded to Sergeant/Signaller G. J. F. McCourt is partly for his skill as a radar operator during 32 sorties, many of them in bad weather in which his efficiency played a big part in the safety of his aircraft.’