Don Paterson

PATERSON, F/L Donald Savigny (J3523) - Distinguished Flying Cross -
No.630 Squadron - Award effective 5 February 1944 as per London Gazette
dated 11 February 1944 and AFRO 644/44 dated 24 March 1944.

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Born 1918 in Fort William, Ontario;
Home in Toronto;
Enlisted Fort William, 20 June 1940.
Trained at
No.2 ITS (graduated 30 June 1940),
No.2 EFTS (graduated 17 August 1940), and
No.2 SFTS (graduated 10 December 1940).
Commissioned 1941.

Medal presented 28 February 1946.

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No citation other than "...completed...many successful operations against the enemy in which [he] displayed high skill, fortitude and devotion to duty."

Public Records Office Air 2/8782 has recommendation dated 19 December 1943 when he had flown 21 sorties (128 hours ten minutes).

NOTE: These were flown with No.57 Squadron except for the last two trips, 26 November and 2 December 1943, which were with No.630 Squadron.

15 Aug 43 Milan      (7.36, with S/L Smith)
22 Aug 43 Leverkusen (5.09)
23 Aug 43 Berlin     (7.25)
27 Aug 43 Nuremburg (7.40)
30 Aug 43 Munchen    (4.45)
31 Aug 43 Berlin     (7.30)
05 Sep 43 Mannheim (6.55)
22 Sep 43 Hanover    (5.00)
23 Sep 43 Mannheim (6.45)
29 Sep 43 Bochum     (5.40)
02 Oct 43 Munich     (8.00)
03 Oct 43 Kassel     (5.35)
07 Oct 43 Stuttgart (7.10)
08 Oct 43 Hanover    (5.00)
18 Oct 43 Hanover    (5.15)
20 Oct 43 Leipzi     (7.10)
22 Oct 43 Kassel     (5.45)
03 Nov 43 Dusseldorf (4.10)
10 Nov 43 Modane     (7.40)

With No.630 Squadron

26 Nov 43 Berlin (8.00)
02 Dec 43 Berlin (7.00)

Flight Lieutenant Paterson of the RCAF was posted to 630 Squadron on 15th November, from 57 Squadron. He had already completed 19 sorties involving 120 hours with the latter squadron. Since joining 630 Squadron he has completed two sorties involving 15 hours flying. He has taken part in many attacks on strongly defended targets in Germany including Berlin, Kassel, Munich, Stuttgart, Hanover and Nuremburg. He has also completed a successful attack on Milan.

Flight Lieutenant Paterson has always shown very high qualities of courage and determination in making his attacks. He has completed every sortie for which he has been detailed. On the ground Flight Lieutenant Paterson is a deputy Flight Commander and has commanded his flight with success during various periods in the absence of his Flight Commander. When called upon to do so he has organised training in the Flight in a satisfactory manner and he has shown leadership in the handling of inexperienced crews.

Flight Lieutenant Paterson has now completed over two-thirds of a very good operational tour. He is strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

F/L Donald Savigny Paterson - DFC