TEGERDINE, F/L George Mervin (J26757)

TEGERDINE, F/L George Mervin (J26757) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.427 Squadron - Award effective 5 July 1945 as per London Gazette dated 17 July 1945 and AFRO 1558/45 dated 5 October 1945.   Born 1917 in Bassano, Alberta; home in Oakland, California (plant foreman) or River Forrest, Illinois (but still described as Canadian); enlisted in Windsor, Ontario, 20 April 1942.   Trained at No.5 ITS (graduated24 October 1942), No.10 EFTS (graduated 22 January 1943) and No.16 SFTS (graduated 28 June 1943).  Commissioned 1943.   Award presented in Chicago, 28 November 1949.  No citation in AFRO other than "in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of airoperations against the enemy".   DHist file 181.009 D.1729 (PAC RG.24 Vol.20607) has recommendation from W/C V.F. Ganderton dated 19 March 1945 when he had flown 28 sorties (168 hours 40 minutes), 3 September 1944 to 3 March 1945.

 

This officer has completed twenty-eight heavy operational bombing attacks against the enemy.

 

This squadron has been doing special mining work for the Group, and as Flight Lieutenant Tegerdine is one of the most dependable pilots, he has been chosen to do this extremely difficult work.   In order to ensure that his vegetables [mines] have been planted in the correct location, this pilot on one occasion made three complete runs over the garden area.  On another occasion he made two runs, bringing back photographs of an excellent calibre.   His bombing raids have been outstanding, and due to his tenacity, endurance and fine offensive spirit, he has instilled a high standard of morale in his crew.

 

In view of Flight Lieutenant Tegerdine's excellent record and having proved himself an outstanding member of a gallant crew, I strongly recommend that he be awarded a non-immediate Distinguished Flying Cross.

 

 

TEGERDINE, F/L George Mervin, DFC (J26759) - Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star (France) - Award as per AFRO 485/47 dated 12 September 1947.  Pilot.