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LEGEND: The then SQNLDR Dick Creswell as CO 77SQN, standing with his Kittyhawk aircraft in 1942. Photo courtesy of the RAAF Museum
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Four 77SQN Hornets conduct a ‘missing man’ formation fly-past to honour WGCDR Cresswell at his funeral.
P hoto by Richard Briggs |
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CANBERRA’s skies resounded to the roar of Hornet engines on December 19 as an Air Force ‘great’ was laid to rest.
Former WGCDR Richard ‘Dick’ Cresswell was saluted with a ‘missing man’ formation by four 77SQN F/A-18s over his funeral service at Duntroon. WGCDR Cresswell had commanded the squadron three times, twice in WWII and once during the Korean War. He died aged 86 after suffering a major heart attack on December 13.
In his eulogy, Air Commander Australia AVM John Quaife described Creswell as “a legend”.
“I always felt humble in his presence and today is no exception,” AVM Quaife said.
“The modern experience of command remains a challenging experience and all too frequently we are reminded that aviation is a dangerous game, but the contribution of Dick Cresswell, the circumstances of his service, and the results that this extraordinary man was able to achieve, leaves those of us in the modern air force in awe and in his debt.”
He was renowned for his outstanding flying skills, courage and “hard-nosed” leadership during some of the RAAF’s most desperate hours.
He enlisted in the RAAF as a cadet in 1938 and graduated as a pilot. Due to his skills and airmanship, he quickly qualified as an instructor, and with the outbreak of war and the developing Japanese threat to the north, in 1942 he was promoted SQNLDR and selected to raise and command 77SQN.
It wasn’t long before 77SQN was in action and on the night of November 23, SQNLDR Cresswell was on patrol when he sighted three Japanese ‘Betty’ bombers. He attacked and hit all three, shooting down one. It was his first kill and the first successful night kill over Australia.
In April 1943, the squadron was caught up in the savage ground, sea and air combat at Milne Bay and, in the ensuing melees, claimed up to nine enemy bombers and two fighters. Some of these fell to Cresswell, although he was to be shot down on one occasion as well.
He led 77SQN through some of the most heavy fighting against Japanese positions in New Guinea, Papua and then in Borneo. He also flew with No. 1 Fighter Wing and then No. 81 Wing.
Later, during the Korean War, he flew 110 missions in Mustangs, 14 in Meteors and 10 in Sabres with the US Air Force.
He received the Commonwealth and American Distinguished Flying Crosses and American Air Medal for his outstanding airmanship and leadership, and the President of the Republic of South Korea awarded the squadron a Presidential Citation.
From his experiences in two wars, Dick Creswell was concerned that Australia’s fighter pilots should receive combat flying training second to none. As a result, No. 2 (F) Operational Training Unit (the predecessor to 2OCU) was reformed in March 1952. WGCDR Creswell subsequently assumed command of the unit.
AVM Quaife said that it was in this posting that his impact on the modern air force can be felt to this day.
“Dick was of the opinion that the system for training fighter pilots had collapsed with the massive de-mobilisation of the air force at the close of World War II – in Dick’s words, the Korean police action caught the Air Force with its pants down,” AVM Quaife said.
In 1954, Creswell developed and introduced the Fighter Combat Instructors’ (FCI) course, which over the subsequent 50 years has grown to a 23-week course developing the high-level skills necessary for the air defence and fighter operations of modern fighters.
“Dick Cresswell was an instrumental player in the recovery of air-to-air training and of capturing the doctrine for squadron employment,” AVM Quaife said.
“The Fighter Combat Instructors’ course remains a vital part of our force preparation to this day and I believe that, more than any other factor, this course – a Dick Cresswell legacy – is the reason why Australian fighter pilots were capable of performing with such distinction in our recent combat operations over Iraq.”
WGCDR Cresswell discharged from the RAAF in April 1957, but continued his flying career in a variety of positions.
Highly respected by the aviation community, he retained an active interest in his Service and was a frequent visitor to Air Force establishments.
He was also a vigorous member of the 77SQN Association and strongly supported the Australian War Memorial.
President of the 77SQN Association Jim Treadwell said Dick Cresswell was the first Australian to shoot down an enemy aircraft in night combat over Australia, the first RAAF commander to lead jet aircraft into battle and the first Australian to go faster than the speed of sound.
“WGCDR Dick Cresswell holds a special place in the RAAF historical record,” Mr Treadwell said.
“I am happy to report that his memory will live on, hopefully in perpetuity, as the four-flag signature design that adorned his Kittyhawk in 1942 now has a permanent place on a selected 77SQN aircraft.”
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Sir James Killen 1925-2007 |
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Air Force honours Sir James Killen
FORMER FSGT, Sir Denis James ‘Jim’ Killen, passed away on January 12.
CDF ACM Angus Houston paid tribute to Sir Killen at his state funeral in Brisbane on January 19, with airmen from RAAF Base Amberley forming the Honour Guard and serving as pall bearers.
Jim Killen enlisted in the RAAF as an air gunner in 1943, and rose to the rank of FSGT, but never saw active service. He was discharged from the Aircrew School at Watsonia in 1945.
He became a wool classer but moved to Brisbane where he became interested in politics and formed the Queensland Branch of the Young Liberals. He entered politics in 1955 when he was elected to the Brisbane seat of Moreton under the Menzies government and held it for 28 years.
He served as the Minister for Navy under former ex-RAAF colleague Sir John Gorton and then as one of Australia’s longest-serving Ministers for Defence under Malcolm Fraser from 1975 to 1982.
One of his most significant achievements during this period was for Air Force. He oversaw the decision to purchase three squadrons of F/A-18s.
He was appointed leader of the House of Representatives and was introducing a number of reforms when the Liberal Party was defeated in the 1983 elections.
After resigning from politics, he served on the boards of several companies, became a noted author and public speaker and successfully raced several racehorses; his great passion, outside of debate in the House.
He was knighted in 1982 and made a Companion of Australia in 2004.
Described as a ‘larger than life character with a strong dedication to service,’ Sir James Killen was renowned for his robust debating style, sense of humour, ability to make friends on both sides of politics and talent for practical jokes.
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A celebration of Pat’s life
PAT Gordon, aged 46, passed away on January 16 after a long illness. Pat had served in the Air Force for 20 years, first as an education assistant and then as a clerk. Pat retired as a FSGT in 1998, after which he joined the public service and continued with Defence and the Air Force until his death.
Pat’s health battle was the epitome of courage and strength, and it was these attributes that he applied to his professional life. He will be remembered as the Air Force’s PMKeyS advocate, and his passion for championing PMKeyS was widely known. His work ethic and professionalism were evident very early in his Air Force career and he had a profound influence on those with whom he came into contact. While Pat had a quiet way of sharing and offering advice, he was always steadfast. More than one senior officer copped the brunt of his robust defence of PMKeyS. Even when very ill, Pat insisted on continuing his work on PMKeyS development.
Pat was involved in the support of many people and groups, especially the Kidney Support Group, and, like his commitment to the Air Force, that devotion was absolute. The attendance en masse of the nursing staff from the Canberra Hospital at his funeral bear witness to the esteem in which Pat’s fighting spirit was held.
Pat will be remembered for many things – for being a dedicated member of the Defence community, a proud Australian, a loving husband to Annette, a family member, and a friend to many.
He will be greatly missed.
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