Last RAF VC Winner Departs for Final Sortie

[buffnut453]

Fly Lt John Cruickshank, the last surviving RAF VC winner had passed away at the age of 105.

Farewell to an incredibly brave man. Safe landings, Flt Lt Cruickshank!

#perarduaadastra #blueskies | Royal Air Force (RAF) | 139 comments

The Royal Air Force family is saddened to hear of the death of Britain’s last surviving World War Two Victoria Cross recipient Flight Lieutenant (retired) John Cruickshank, who died last week age 105. The veteran from Aberdeen was awarded the honour for piloting a Catalina involved in an attack...

www.linkedin.com

 

[Airframes]

 

[buffnut453]

Here's a report from the BBC:

Aberdeen man who was last surviving WW2 Victoria Cross recipient dies aged 105 - BBC News

John Cruickshank suffered 72 injuries during the bombing raid on a U-boat in 1944 but refused medical treatment.

www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org

 

[fubar57]

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Fly Lt John Cruickshank, the last surviving RAF VC winner had passed away at the age of 105.

Farewell to an incredibly brave man. Safe landings, Flt Lt Cruickshank!

#perarduaadastra #blueskies | Royal Air Force (RAF) | 139 comments

The Royal Air Force family is saddened to hear of the death of Britain’s last surviving World War Two Victoria Cross recipient Flight Lieutenant (retired) John Cruickshank, who died last week age 105. The veteran from Aberdeen was awarded the honour for piloting a Catalina involved in an attack...

www.linkedin.com

Assuming you're around my age -- 58, for those curious -- we are lucky because we had even in our lifetimes crucial figures from the war. Death is obviously impassable, but we got to see and read and hear interviews with these giants, while they still lived and breathed.

My son, your children, and all following generations will not have that. It's a loss to history.

Present Arms.

 

[Sabrejet]

At the risk of sounding petty (not intended), I remember a WW2 veteran telling me that you don't "win" a VC; you are either awarded it or you are a recipient. I'm sure the same is true for the Medal of Honor.

My maxim is the same for all medals (apart from the piddling collection I received): they are earnt, awarded, received or even pinned-on. But never won.

 

[rochie]

 

[Gnomey]

 

[dcasey33]

 

[Wayne Little]