Was this worth a DFC?

[anotheoldgit]

http://tinyurl.com/2uuqgk2

Normally I support our troops with all of my heart, but the question I feel I must ask here, 'was this pilot's actions worth the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross'?

Yes he was superficially wounded, but he had no other option than to continue to try and fly his helicopter back to Camp Bastion, his action was a matter of self survival, one of the most natural instincts in all beings, and fortunately in the pursuance of this he also saved the lives of the others on board his aircraft.

During WW2 many pilots limped home badly wounded with their crates badly damaged, but I am afraid they all wasn't dished out with a DFC.

[Sqad]

AOG

<<<During WW2 many pilots limped home badly wounded with their crates badly damaged, but I am afraid they all wasn't dished out with a DFC.<<

No, but many were.

Like you, I felt that the DFC was a "little" OTT......but hey, good luck to him.

[anotheoldgit]

Yes I agree 'good luck to him, by all means'.

Those guys out there are doing a difficult job.

[jake-the-peg]

During the Second World War, 20,354 DFCs were awarded (the most of any award)

[jake-the-peg]

That's about 10 a day

[McMouse]

I listened to this pilot this morning and he stated that the crew could have brought the aircraft safelyback without his help. DFC.........no. MOD likes good news stories and it's good for morale to dish out gongs.

[sandyRoe]

Isn't it a bit curmudgeonly to question such an award?
He jests at scars that never felt a wound

[Ankou]

but what does it matter to us? it doesn't devalue any gone before.

i wouldn't begrudge these lads and lasses any award.

http://www.mirror.co....ross-115875-22582584/

[Bobbisox]

hey Anks, I agree...

[Sqad]

ankou....I think that AOG would agree with, but his point is, that if they are going to be given out indiscriminately ( and there is no suggestion that they are) would it not devalue them, like A levels are, in my opinion, at the GCSE exams?

[Ankou]

comparing war medals to gcse's sqad ? lol.

surely it is a matter for the conscience of the receiver. not us.

[Bobbisox]

Now when I was in the Land Army.....;-0)

[Sqad]

Ankou......absolutely, but AB is a forum for opinions.

DSO´s and A levels was just an example of how multiplicity may devalue.

[Ankou]

there is of course an argument for less is more in many cases.

recognition for bravery during conflict just doesnt fit in my view,
but you are welcome to yours.

[jake-the-peg]

Bad comparisom Sqad

A levels are a recognition that someone has reached a required level of competance - a bit like a doctor's qualification.

There's no reason why any reasonably intelligent person with sufficient work can't reach such a level

Medals are not like that are they

I am amused though that AOG seemed under the impression that some how a DFC was a high honor not thrown about wildly in days gone by

Must have been a bit of a shock to find it to be the RAF's equivilent to "employee of the month"

[anotheoldgit]

jake-the-peg

Yes but let's put that into perspective, Bomber Command alone flew 364,514 operational sorties during WW2.

That is only Bomber Command, there were others such as Fighter Command, Coastal Command, Air Sea Rescue Etc.

[sp1814]

As a person who would consider taking a half day's sick leave after receiving a paper cut off an envelope, I lean to supporting this chap's DFC.

Also, we should remember that the DFC isn't necessarily for bravery - it's for 'keeping a cool head in difficult circumstances'.

A civilian example of this might be an award for that pilot who managed to land his plane on the Hudson river last year:

http://www.reuters.co...idUSTRE50E8AI20090116

It's not his bravery that garnered admiration, but his cool-headedness under duresss. Remember - the pilot wouldn't have known exactly how badly injured he was at the time, and as the report says:

"<He was> hit the front of his helmet shattering the visor and causing deep lacerations to his face. Another round disabled the flight stabilisation system making the aircraft extremely difficult to control"

I think that kind of of professionalism should be recognised.

[sp1814]

Steve.5

Kentucky Fried Chicken?

What if he's a vegetarian?

[Sqad]

sp....fair point.