| Accession Number | REL/13442.009 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Award |
| Physical description | Bronze |
| Location | Main Bld: World War 2 Gallery: Gallery 2: Air Europe |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | United States of America |
| Date made | c 1940s |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
United States Bronze Star Medal: Squadron Leader Herbert F Slade, RAAF
Description
United States Bronze Star.
History / Summary
Australians have been recipients of the United States Bronze Star medal for meritorious service since it was instituted in 1944. Squadron Leader Herbert Slade was awarded this decoration for his contribution to the United States Army Air Force Heavy Bombardment Group from November 1944 to April 1945. Slade worked diligently with American crews as a lecturer and instructor on night-bombing techniques, after his series of successful combat missions in the Royal Air Force.
Defying the low survival rates of the bomber offensive, Slade’s experience and knowledge made his instruction invaluable to American bomber aircrew. At the time he was instructing American crews, Slade held the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for night-bombing raids on Berlin and Hamburg. The DSO was awarded for piloting a Lancaster over Hamburg on the night of 28 July 1943 when German flak tore four square metres off the port wing and sent the bomber slowly spiralling out of control. With great presence of mind, he regained control of the aircraft and piloted it back to its British base.