George Medal GVIR (991199 L.A.C. JAMES MCKAY MCCABE. R.A.F.V.R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45 (unnamed as awarded) - the campaign stars and medals in original box of issue, with award slip, addressed to McCabe C/O 1 P.H.U., Roya Air Force, Innsworth.
991199 LAC James McKay McCabe born Scotland 1922 WW2 RAFVR Sqdn 73 (Bristol) in North Africa/Italy Awarded George Medal 08.1944
McCabe's London Gazette entry for the award of the George Medal, which was also awarded to Leonard Maynard Williams for the same deed, read thus:
"One evening in February 1944, these airmen showed exceptional courage and devotion to duty when an aircraft, carrying a full bomb load, crashed and caught fire. Leading Aircraftsman Williams, who was nearby, was one of the first to arrive at the scene of the accident and, in spite of exploding ammunition and the danger of the bombs exploding, he succeeded in rescuing the rear gunner. Then, with the assistance of two others, he proceeded to take the gunner to safety; the first bomb exploded when they were only 50 yards away.
Leading Aircraftsman McCabe, a nursing orderly, arrived in the ambulance within 4 minutes of the aircraft crashing. The first bomb had already exploded and, although fully aware that others were likely to detonate at any moment, he continued to the aircraft and located a member of the crew who was already, unfortunately, dead. Leading Aircraftsman McCabe helped to move the body to a place of safety. When only 30 yards away from the aircraft, a second bomb exploded and no further rescues could be effected. These Aircraftsmen displayed high courage and a complete disregard for their own safety."
McCabe died in Linlithgow, Midlothian in 1968
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