Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

No. 237 (Rhodesia) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

December 1st, 1944

Recommendation:
"While straffing enemy M.T. on June 5th 1944, Stgt Pearson's aircraft was hit by flak and he was compelled to crash land in enemy territory. Although wounded in the thigh he evaded a German patrol who machine-gunned him, wounding hime severely in the leg. The enemy patrol continued to search for him but he succeeded in avoiding capture by killing one of the patrol with a large stone. He eventually found his was into our lines. Throughout the period of five days that Sgt. Pearson was in enemy territory he showed great determination and coolness, and by his courage and devotion to duty he finally returned to his squadron. Sgt. Pearson's age is 18 and his courage and determination (especially at the first part of his escape, when he was at times on the point of fainting through loss of blood) was a fine example to all, and I wish to recoomend him for the British Empire Medal."

Although recommended for a BEM this was changed into a MM.
The recommendation further remarks that at that time Pearson had flown 554,05 hours of which over the last 6 months 117,05 hours, had flown 30 operational sorties in which he had flown 45 operational hours.
Also the recommendation states that his next of kin was Mrs. B Pearson (mother) of 10 Sunnyside Mansions, Salisbury, S. Rhodesia.