Distinguished Flying Medal (1816698 SGT R JOHNSON RAF); 1939-45 Star; France & Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45 - unnamed as awarded.
Roderick Johnson attested for service with the RAF at Birmingham with 578 Squadron RAF. His citation for the award of the DFM (which appeared in the LG of 8/12/1944) read as follows:
"Sergeant Johnson has carried out 36 operations totaling 171.21 hours during which he has taken part in many attacks on a wide range of targets including such heavily defended areas such as Berlin, Essen, Frankfurt and Homberg. On operations he has proved himself to be a consistently efficient and keen engineer and at all times he has discharged his duties with utmost willingness. Hi invariable coolness and good spirits in adverse circumstances have made a great contribution to the high morale of his crew and his extensive technical knowledge and abilities have ensured that, at no time during any operation, has he been faced with a problem with which he was unable to deal. It is recommended that Sergeant Johnson be awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal."
Johnson's outfit - 578 Squadron - was formed at RAF Snaith, East Riding of Yorkshire on 14 January 1944 from 'C' flight of No. 51 Squadron RAF, equipped with Halifax Mk.III bombers, as part of No. 4 Group RAF in Bomber Command. It transferred to RAF Burn, North Yorkshire in February, and was disbanded there on 15 April 1945. The squadron carried out 2,721 operational sorties with the Halifax for a loss 40 aircraft.
Sold with copy citation and other research. The medals are in good condition unless otherwise indicated.
