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MacNeece, William Foster

Date of birth:
August 21st, 1889 (Aldershot/Surrey, United Kingdom)
Date of death:
March 28th, 1978 (Oxford/Oxfordshire, United Kingdom)
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Promotions:
6 February 1909: 2nd Lieutenant
2 February 1912: Lieutenant
19 April 1915: Flight Lieutenant (RNAS)
10 June 1915: Captain
16 February 1916: Temporary Major
5 December 1916: Temporary Lieutenant Colonel
1 April 1918: Temporary Colonel
1 August 1919: Wing Commander
1 January 1924: Group Captain
1 January 1930: Air Commodore
25 March 1942: Acting Air Vice Marshal
1 June 1943: Temporary Air Vice Marshal

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Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel
Unit:
2nd Balloon Wing, Royal Flying Corps
Awarded on:
January 1st, 1917

New Years Honours
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Period:
First World War (1914-1918)
Rank:
Lieutenant-Colonel
Unit:
2nd Balloon Wing, Royal Flying Corps
Awarded on:
November 2nd, 1918
"An exceptionally brave and efficient officer. From 2nd July to 9th August he was in command of a Balloon Wing, and by his energy and personal example inspired all ranks with a spirit of emulation difficult to surpass. During this period he carried out numerous shoots in co-operation with our artillery, and obtained much valuable information for our Intelligence Department. On 9th August his balloon was attacked by an aeroplane and shot down in flames. Lieut.-Col. MacNeece parachuted, but received severe injuries when landing."

Commanding Officer
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Rank:
Wing Commander
Unit:
HQ, Mesopotamian Group, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
October 10th, 1922
"In recognition of distinguished services in Iraq during 1921."
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Rank:
Air Commodore
Unit:
No. 1 Air Defence Group, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
June 3rd, 1933

HM Birthday Honours
Companion of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Air Commodore
Unit:
No. 6 (Bomber) Group, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
January 1st, 1941
Mentioned in Dispatches
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Air Vice-Marshal
Unit:
Inter-Service Liaison Committee Washington D.C., Allied Forces
Awarded on:
May 3rd, 1946
"In recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the war."

As head of this organisation
Legion of Merit - Commander (LoM - C)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Air Vice-Marshal
Unit:
RAF Mission to China, HQ, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
March 15th, 1946
"In recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the war."

As Head of RAF Training Mission to China
Order of the Cloud and Banner with Special Cravat (4th Class)

Sources

Photo