Bennett, James Johnson

Service number:: 39056
Nationality:: British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Promotions:
August 21st, 1936: Acting Pilot Officer (probation)
July 6th, 1937: Pilot Officer
February 6th, 1939: Flying Officer
September 3th,1940: Flight Leutenant
December 1st, 1941: Temporary Squadron Leader
? Wing Commander
May 18th, 1958: commisson relinquished, rank retained as Wing Commander

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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Flight Lieutenant
Awarded on:: March 26th, 1940

Citation:
"Flight Lieutenant Bennett was the captain, of one of the aircraft which attacked the seaplane base at Sylt on the night of the 19-20th March 1940. In spite of being held and dazzled by searchlights he descended to 1,000 feet over the base and pressed home his attacks at this low altitude under heavy antiaircraft fire with great deliberation and resolution, securing direct hits on the seaplane base and causing an outbreak of fire."

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Acting Wing Commander
Unit:: No. 144 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: June 26th, 1942

Citation:
"Since being awarded the D.F.C, Wing Cdr. Bennett has completed many operational sorties. In July, 1941, he led a flight in the first daylight attack against enemy battle cruisers at Brest. Despite the severe damage which bis aircraft sustained through anti-aircraft fire, he continued to lead his formation over the target and returned to base safely. Wing Cdr. Bennett has set a magnificent example as a pilot."

Second DFC awarded as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.

Haakon VII's frihetsmedalje

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Wing Commander
Awarded on:: April 18th, 1947

Sources

- The London Gazette Issue 34325 published on the 22 September 1936
- The London Gazette Issue 34423 published on the 3 August 1937
- The London Gazette Issue 34694 published on the 26 September 1939
- The London Gazette Issue 34817 published on the 26 March 1940
- The London Gazette Issue 34989 published on the 12 November 1940
- The London Gazette Issue 35383 published on the 16 December 1941
- Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35609 published on the 23 June 1942
- The London Gazette Issue 37934 published on the 18 April 1947
- Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 41439 published on the 8 July 1958