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Leary, David Cooper

Date of birth:
1921 (Wandsworth/London, Great Britain)
Date of death:
December 28th, 1940 (Debden/Suffolk, Great Britain)
Buried on:
Old Ipswich Cemetery
Plot: XH. Grave: 439.
Service number:
42756
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

David Cooper Leary was killed when his Hawker Hurricane V6791 crashed near Debden on December 28th, 1940.

Promotions:
October 9th, 1939: Acting Pilot Officer on probation;
May 11th, 1940: Pilot Officer.

Career:
August 1939: Royal Air Force;
? - May 18th, 1940: No. 6 Operational Training Unit, Sutton Bridge;
May 25th, 1940: No. 17 Squadron.

Victories:
June 12th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 109;
June 13th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 109 (damaged);
August 25th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 109;
august 25th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 110 (probably);
September 3rd, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 110 (shared);
September 3rd, 1940: Dornier Do 17 (shared);
September 27th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 110;
September 27th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 110 (probably);
September 28th, 1940: Dornier Do 17 (probably);
November 8th, 1940: Junkers Ju 87;
November 8th, 1940: Junkers Ju 87;
November 8th, 1940: Junkers Ju 87 (shared);
November 8th, 1940: Junkers Ju 87 (shared);
November 13th, 1940: Dornier Do 17 (damaged).

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Pilot Officer
Unit:
No. 17 Squadron, Royal Air Force (No. 17 Squadron, Royal Air Force)
Awarded on:
November 26th, 1940
Citation:
"In November, 1940, this officer was engaged with his squadron in protecting two destroyers which were being attacked by a formation of enemy dive bombers heavily escorted by fighters. Showing magnificent courage and determination, Pilot Officer Cooper destroyed two of the enemy bombers and assisted in the destruction of another.
He has now destroyed at least five enemy aircraft."

LG 35001/6754.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

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