In God We Trust
The Royal Australian Air Force's 77th Squadron was the recipient of a Presidential Unit Citation from the Republic of Korea on November 01, 1951. The citation reads:
"This squadron entered the Korean War during the first week of North Korean aggression. Flying Mustang aircraft, it earned the highest reputation for itself in giving close support to military operations for over eight months of the campaign, and it won the admiration and friendship of all units it supported. It was then re-equipped with Meteor aircraft and has since continued its fine record in the new roles allotted to it with these more modern aircraft. Its performance throughout merits the highest praise."
Over forty Australian pilots lost their lives in aerial combat and accidents during the Korean War, and some were taken prisoner of war. Originally operating between Iwakuni, Japan and Taegu, Korea, the men of the 77th carried out daily missions escorting B-26 and B-29 bombers. After the Inchon Invasion the 77th moved from Japan to Pohang, South Korea. During the war the 77th pilots flew 19,000 sorties, shot down five MiGs, destroyed thousands of building structures, demolished bridges and locomotives and railroad cars, and lost dozens of RAAF aircraft in the process. The 77th initially flew F-4U Mustangs, but this was changed to flying British-built, twin-engine, straight-winged Meteors. Unfortunately, the Meteors were not the best match against faster, more versatile Russian MiGs.
*Two RAAF pilots died as the result of wounds sustained in a tent fire at Pohang, Korea.
Andrews, Pilot Officer Henry Dudley - (A77-860), May 31, 1954, collided with A77-862, 22 miles northwest of Kunson. The pilot of A77-862 (Sgt. D. Oswald) bailed out and sustained only minor injuries.
Armitt, Sgt. Ernest Donald - Meteor (A77-949), January 12, 1951, pilot of one of 12 Meteors that were attacked by 40 MiG-15s on that date. Lost in Action near Sunchon, South Pyongan province, North Korea. Shot down by enemy fire during dog fight with MIG-15. The 12 Meteors of 77 Squadron, RAAF were attacked by 40 MiG-15s of the North Korean Air Force. Three were shot down: A77-29, A77-251 and A77-949.
Avery, Pilot Officer Allan James - Meteor (A77-704), September 05, 1952, crashed near Aomi-Shima Island, Japan.
Booth, Flying Officer Francis Henry Giffard - F-8 Crusader (A77-25), January 27, 1953, missing after attack run on two tunnels three miles east of Sinmak.
Browne-Gaylord, Flight Lieutenant Mark Astil Baren Henry Aytack "Henry" - Meteor (A77-559), "Two sections of six Meteors attacked enemy positions in the Haeju area in what must be described as atrocious weather, overcast cloud at 2,500 feet and light snow falling. During a strafing pass Flight Lieutenant M. Browne-Gaylord (A77-559) was hit by light flak knocking out his air speed indicator and altimeter. His flight leader, Flight Lieutenant W. Bennet attempted to inform Browne-Gaylord of his correct height but received no reply. It is assumed that A77-559 crashed into rugged terrain inland from Haeju whilst being flown 'blind' in bad weather." Browne-Gaylor listed as missing in action.
Chalmers, Pilot Officer Peter Botley - Meteor (A77-163), March 26, 1953, hit by ground fire, crashed and burned.
Colebrook, Pilot Officer Maxwell Edwin - Meteor (A77-627), April 13, 1952, hit by ground fire and disappeared while returning to base at Haeju, South Hwanghae Province, near Haeju BayNorth Korea.
Cowper, Pilot Officer Lionel Henry Cadogan - Meteor (A77-120), March 30, 1952, seen to dive in attack firing a salvo of rockets but then failed to recover from the dive and crashed and burst into flames. There was no reported parachute.
Cranston, Pilot Officer Ian Rew - Meteor (A77-920), March 09, 1952. Written off (destroyed in combat): Streaming fuel after target run and crashed at Hwanghae-bukto, North Korea, after being shot down by ground fire.
Cruickshank, Flying Officer Oliver Mattinson "Jimmy"- Meteor (A77-436), October 02, 1952, crashed into the Sea returning from an operation over Korea after dog fight near Chodo Island. Pilot unsuccessfully tried to bail out of aircraft.
Dolittle, Flying Officer George Peter - F-8 Crusader (A77-856), May 17, 1953, lost approximately 10 miles north of Haeju.
Ellis, P2 Donald C. - F-51D Mustang (A68-726), December 22, 1950, hit by AAA, crashed near Taedong River east of Pyongyang.
Gillan, Flight Officer Bruce Thomson - Meteor (A77-726), January 27, 1952, hit by ground fire on strafing run, ejected, but not observed on the ground.
Glinchey, Squad Leader Leonard Thomas - Meteor A77-860, July 16, 1953, crashed immediately after take off from strip 24, K-14.
Gray, Flight Lieutenant William Victor Gray - died in Japan on November 20, 1950 as a result of wounds sustained in a tent fire in Pohang, Korea, on November 14, 1950.
Halley, Pilot Officer John Beverley - Meteor (A77-46), February 11, 1953, crashed during bomb run in the Sinmak area of North Korea.
Harrop, Sgt. William Percy "Bill" - P-51 Mustang (A68-75), September 03, 1950, one of four pilots flying their second sortie for the day, rendezvoused with a flight of US B-29's and provided top cover fighter protection while the B-29's attacked Pyongyang. He crashed in enemy territory and was seen to leave his aircraft on the ground and take cover. A rescue aircraft came to the scene but was unable to find him. It was later learned that he had been executed by the North Koreans. He was among the first RAAF victims of the Korean War.
Haslope, Flight Lieutenant Lancelot Cedric - Meteor (A77-953), August 05, 1952, crashed during a take-off from Kimpo on a rocket strafing mission.
Hillier, Squad Leader Donald - Meteor (A77-343), March 08, 1953, possibly hit by ground fire, crash not observed.
James, Flying Officer Roger Leslie - F-8 (A77-643), April 07, 1953, hit by ground fire, crashed and burned.
Johnston, Flight Lieutenant Henry Eric - Meteor (A77-704), October 13, 1952, crashed near Aomi-Shima Island, Japan.
Kirkpatrick, Flight Lieutenant Craig - Died of wounds sustained in a tent fire in Pohang, Korea, on November 14, 1950.
Lamb, Sgt. Reginald Robert Leslie - F-8 (A77-354), August 22, 1951, destroyed when collided with Meteor F.8 A77-128 (also of 77 Squadron RAAF) and crashed near Base K-14, Kimpo, Korea on 22/08/51. A section of twelve Meteors were returning from a fighter sweep and had just initiated a change from battle formation to line astern when Sergeant R. L. Lamb (in A77-354), a RAF exchange pilot, collided with Sergeant R. Mitchell (in A77-128). Both aircraft crashed eight miles north of Kimpo, killing both pilots.
Lawrenson, Squad Leader Frederick James - Meteor (A77-852), December 24, 1952, written off (destroyed in combat) when shot down by ground fire over Incheon. Lawrenson's body was never recovered and is therefore regarded as missing, presumed killed in action.
Matthews Flight Lieutenant Keith Clarence - F-51D Mustang (A68-812), February 15, 1951, believed to have collided with A68-796 in heavy cloud cover while returning from a mission over enemy territory in a snow storm.
McGlinchey, Squadron Leader Leonard Thomas - Meteor (A77-860), July 26, 1953. Squadron Leader Leonard Thomas McGlinchey O4421 of Number 91 (Composite) Wing was killed when Gloster Meteor A77-860 crashed on take-off from Kimpo airfield in Korea - he was serving on attachment to 77 Squadron RAAF at the time.
MItchell, Sgt. Ronald Daniel - Meteor (A77-128), August 22, 1951, Destroyed when collided with Meteor F.8 A77-128 (also of 77 Squadron RAAF) and crashed near Base K-14, Kimpo, Korea on 22/08/51. A section of twelve Meteors were returning from a fighter sweep and had just initiated a change from battle formation to line astern when Sergeant R. L. Lamb (in A77-354), a RAF exchange pilot, collided with Sergeant R. Mitchell (in A77-128). Both aircraft crashed eight miles north of Kimpo, killing both pilots.
Nolan, Sgt. Desmond Thomas - Meteor (A77-134), June 11, 1953, crashed during a training flight near Kimpo after trying to recover from a barrel roll and dive.
Purssey, Flight Lieutenant Ian Goodwin Swan - Meteor (A77-189), April 22, 1952. He had completed 131 missions when he was shot down during a rocket attack on a ground target near Chinnampo. Purssey headed for the water but his Meteor was on fire and a wing broke off. He was seen to eject but had no time to open his parachute before hitting the water. He was listed as missing, presumed killed. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Robertson, Pilot Officer Donald Neil - Meteor (A77-373), May 15, 1952, hit by ground fire while on a rocket pass and augured into the ground.
Robertson, Pilot Officer Douglas Merson - Meteor (A77-959), November 11, 1951, collided with A77-587 and dove into the ground. The pilot of A77-587 nursed his aircraft to within 10 nm of base and ejected at 4,000 feet and 210 kts, suffering only minor injuries. His aircraft crashed in a paddy field, killing a civilian boy.
Robinson, Pilot Officer Richard George - Meteor (A77-464), February 16, 1952. During a rocket and strafing attack the aircraft was hit by flak which caused the tail section and about 8 feet of fuselage to break off. The aircraft then crashed on to the side of a mountain about 6 miles west of Hung-su-ri, where the wreckage burned. P/O Robinson was not seen to bale out and it is believed he was probably still in the aircraft when it crashed.
Robson, Sgt. Roy - F-51D Mustang (A68-125), April 17, 1951, crashed near Matsuyama on a training flight.
Rosser, Flying Officer Arthur John - F-8 (A77-858), March 28, 1953, hit by ground fire, crashed and burned.
Royal, P3 Kenneth Edward - F-51D Mustang (A68-704), February 25, 1951, crashed landed into a paddy field on the Kimpo Peninsula. Upon landing, the aircraft flipped over onto its back after striking a ditch, trapping Sergeant Royal who subsequently drowned.
Smith, Pilot Officer Kenneth Dudley - Meteor (A77-393), July 08, 1952, struck a small hill after making a strafing run on a ground attack mission near the Imjin River Valley, North Korea.
Spence, WGC Louis Thomas - F-51D Mustang (A68-809), September 09, 1950, crashed while dropping napalm at Angang-ni. Spence was the commanding officer of No. 77 Squadron.
Squiers, P3 Sinclair Sutherland - F-51D Mustang (A68-796), February 14, 1951, believed to have collided with A68-812 in heavy cloud cover while returning from a mission over enemy territory in a snow storm.
Stephens, P3 Geoffrey Ingram, F-51D Mustang (A68-765), January 06, 1951, crashed into a village near Munsan on the road from Seoul to Sariwon. Disintegrated on impact. P3 Stephens was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.
Strange, Sgt. Harold Thomas - F-51D Mustang (A68-782), March 17, 1951, hit by ground fire, unsuccessful bailout over Wonsan harbor.
Strout, Squad Leader Graham - F-51 Mustang (A68-757), July 07, 1950, crashed in the area of Pukpyong, South Korea, missing after leading a raid by a section of four Mustang aircraft north of latitude 37 degrees 08 minutes north, on the east coast railway at Samchok. First RAAF fatality of the Korean War.
Surman, Pilot Officer John Leonard - Meteor (A77-911), June 09, 1952, lost on Ground Attack Mission during strafing run, Hwangju County, a county in North Hwanghae province, North Korea.