THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

MUNRO John Leslie

413942 & 132891, Squadron Leader, Royal New Zealand Air Force, WW2

CITATION

Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Queen's Birthday Honours List 1997

For services to local government and the community.

Distinguished Service Order

Awarded 25 April 1944

617 Squadron (Lancaster) RAF.  Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross this officer has completed very many sorties, involving attacks on well defended targets.  He has displayed unfailing devotion to duty throughout and his example of gallantry and leadership has inspired all.  On many occasions his aircraft has been damaged by enemy action but in every instance, Squadron Leader MUNRO has flown safely to base.  His achievements have been worthy of the greatest praise.  Squadron Leader MUNRO flew one sortie with 29 OTU RAF (Wellington) whilst still under training, 20 sorties with 97 Squadron, 36 Squadron and 617 Squadron.  Although not a member of the Pathfinder Force Squadron Leader MUNRO undertook two sorties in the capacity of Master Bomber with 617 Squadron.  He also participated in the "Dam-Buster" raid but was hit by flak en-route to the dams and forced to return to base.  From England 617 Squadron also bombed targets at San Polo, Genoa, and the Antheor Viaduct and then flew on to North Africa.  On one return trip to the UK they also attacked Leghorn.  CO 1690 BDTF for eight months

Distinguished Flying Cross

Awarded 9 June 1943

97 Squadron (Lancaster) RAF.  This officer has taken part in numerous operational flights, many of them sorties against  the most heavily defended German and Italian targets.  He has invariably pressed home his attacks with great courage and determination, and his leadership sets a fine example to all other Captains in the Squadron.

Queen's Service Order

Birthday Honours 1991

Chevalier, Légion d'Honneur (France)

Awarded 14 April 2015

KNOWN AWARDS

Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit

Distingusihed Service Order

Queen's Service Order

Distinguished Flying Cross

1939-45 Star

Air Crew Europe Star

France and Germany

Italy Star

Defence Medal

War Service Medal

New Zealand War Service Medal

New Zealand Sesquicentennial Medal 1990

Chevalier, Légion d'Honneur (France)

Justice of the Peace

NOTES

Born 5 April 1919 Gisborne, New Zealand

Died 4 August 2015 Te Kuiti, New Zealand