THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

BEAUCHAMP Donald Stanley

NZ412188, Flight Lieutenant, Royal New Zealand Air Force, WW2

CITATION

Distinguished Flying Cross

Immediate Award

Gazetted 7 April 1944, Supp 36463, p1674

11 Apr 1944: 6 Sqn RNZAF (Catalina).  By his skill and courage in landing a heavily-laden flying-boat in rough water in the open sea, this officer

rescued five United States servicemen on 4th February, 1944.  The men, who had been adrift for six days, were transferred to the aircraft, and in

spite of rough water and a heavy swell, a take-off was made and the aircraft flown back to base. Flying Officer Beauchamp was captain of the New

Zealand Catalina flying-boat concerned in the rescue. On sighting the rafts adrift in the Pacific he was unable to contact base for instructions, so he

decided on his own initiative to attempt the rescue, well-knowing that should he fail, there would be little prospect of rescue for himself and his crew.

Although the aircraft was slightly damaged in the open water landing and the subsequent take-off was crosswind, Flying Officer Beauchamp

displayed a high degree of skill and determination, and succeeded in a difficult and hazardous enterprise.

KNOWN AWARDS

Distinguished Flying Cross

1939-45 Star

Pacific Star

War Medal 1939-45

New Zealand War Service Medal

NOTES

Born: 23 October 1910, Masterton, New Zealand

Died: 27 March 1987 Waikanae, New Zealand

Cremated, ashes in RSA Ashes Wall, Waikanae Cemetery