THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

MONKS William James Stanley

NZ404922, Flight Lieutenant, Royal New Zealand Air Force

CITATION

Distinguished Flying Cross

(26 Sep 1945): A widely experienced operational pilot who was a member of the first RNZAF squadron on Guadalcanal.  Flight Lieutenant MONKS

has on three occasions, brought his aircraft and crew safely home in most difficult circumstances. He has throughout shown courage and devotion to

duty of a high order, and has completed 110 operational missions in the South and South-West Pacific areas. A motor failure occurred 100 miles at

sea on Flight Lieutenant MONKS's second tour, but he showed expert airmanship and returned safely. Shortly afterwards when on a bombing and

low level photography mission against the Japanese airstrip at Kieta, he had one engine put out of action by enemy fire, but again displayed skill and

courage and returned on one motor. There was a similar occurrence over Bougainville on his most recent tour, enemy fire damaging one engine and

the fuselage during a low-level attack on Japanese positions at Bania Harbour, but again Flight Lieutenant Monks brought his aircraft home. These

incidents have been typical of his operational career, and have contributed to the high reputation he holds.  Flew one tour with 3 Sqn (Hudson), then

three on Venturas with 2 and 4 Sqns RNZAF.

KNOWN AWARDS

Distinguished Flying Cross

1939-45 Star

Pacific Star

Defence Medal

War Service Medal 1939-45

New Zealand War Service Medal

NOTES

Born 6 June 1915, Napier, New Zealand

Died 30 May 2005, Auckland, New Zealand