Flight Lieutenant Steven Joseph Sykes enlisted to the Royal Australian Air Force on 23 May 1942. He trained as a pilot in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom under the Empire Air Training Scheme, and went on to serve with 455 Squadron, based in the United Kingdom. With 455 Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Sykes participated in anti-shipping operations in the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Norway. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in October 1944 for his courageous participation in an attack on shipping at Den Helder, Netherlands, in September 1944. On 4 April 1945, Flight Lieutenant Sykes was leading his squadron in an operation in a Norwegian fiord when a shell burst on front of his aircraft, blowing open his cockpit. He sustained many injuries, including a badly broken arm. However, with the aid of his navigator, he flew to the Shetland Islands and made a safe landing. For this action, Flight Lieutenant Sykes received the Distinguished Service Order. He was discharged on 25 February 1946.