United States Air Medal : Flight Lieutenant D C Hurst, 77 Squadron, RAAF

United States Air Medal. Unnamed as issued.

Douglas Charles Hurst was born in Brisbane, Queensland, in 1923. In May 1942, he enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force, and in July 1943 graduated as a sergeant pilot from Number 33 Course, 5 Service Flying Training School (SFTS) at Uranquinty, NSW. He was posted to 80 Squadron RAAF, where he flew Kittyhawks on fighter-bomber operations from bases in New Guinea and the islands. By the end of the war, he had been commissioned as a pilot officer. Hurst elected to remain in the RAAF post war, and in 1947 volunteered to be part of the aerial component of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) in Japan. He served with 82 Squadron, based at Bofu, and equipped with Mustangs, until late 1948, when he returned to Australia. After conversion to jets, he flew Meteors as a flight lieutenant with 77 Squadron in Korea during 1952, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and US Air Medal for his gallantry in ground attack operations. He later served on staff duties in Malaya, commanded 76 Squadron flying CAC Sabres, and was Australian Air Attache in Washington from 1964 to 1966. Doug Hurst retired from the RAAF in 1970 with the rank of group captain. The citation for the award of the United States Air Medal reads as follows: 'Flight Lieutenant DOUGLAS C. HURST distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight as a pilot of a Meteor Mark Eight type aircraft, Fifth Air Force, flying combat missions against the enemy in Korea from 23 July 1952 to 1 September 1952. Despite intense enemy ground fire and adverse weather conditions these attacks, at dangerously low levels, were pressed home with vigor. His superior flying ability aided greatly on the successful completion of these missions. By his valor, proficiency and devotion to duty on these occasions, he has brought great credit on himself and the Royal Australian Air Force.'