Flight Lt. John Cruickshank (RAF – ret.). He was 105.
He and his crew were flying a submarine patrol mission in a Catalina flying boat on July 17, 1944 when they spotted a U-boat. They made a first pass over the boat, strafed it, and tried to drop depth charges. The depth charges didn’t release. So they made a second pass at the submarine.
But the submarine’s crew had them lined up in their sights. The Catalina, and Lt. Cruickshank, were shot all to hell. The bombardier was killed. Lt. Cruickshank managed to release the depth charges and sink the sub.
The crew put him in a bunk for the return flight back to base, which was five hours.
John Appleton, an airman who helped the flight lieutenant after he was hit by shrapnel — his injuries included two serious lung wounds and 10 penetrating leg wounds — told the Imperial War Museum in a 1995 interview that he was sure his commanding officer was mortally wounded. He meant to keep him comfortable as he died.
“I realized he must be in terrible pain,” Mr. Appleton recalled. “I can see blood started to soak through into his chest, even through all his pullovers and flying gear, and so on. But he hadn’t mentioned any of this at all.”
Lt. Cruickshank refused morphine for his pain. He knew that the co-pilot couldn’t land the plane by himself. He actually kept the plane flying for another hour once they got back to base, so they could land in daylight. And he had the crew carry him back to the cockpit and prop him in his seat so he could help land the plane.
Lt. Cruickshank was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions. He was the last surviving Victoria Cross recipient from WWII.
This was literally just published as I was writing this: James Dobson, of “Focus on the Family”.
Lt. Cruikshank was a true hero. We often hear that they are not made like that anymore. While that in no way diminishes the courage, bravery, and actions of modern warriors, men with the fiber of their being made for service to others like Lt. Cruikshank come along fleetingly, and when it does they leave a large footprint.
As for James Dobson, I haven’t heard much about him in the news lately. I guessed he had simply faded into obscurity.
I must admit that while he himself at times seemed to be a bit, shall we say, outspoken, I supported most if not all of his beliefs about America and our direction.
I hadn’t heard much about James Dobson, either, but I had assumed he was getting up there in years and was enjoying a quiet and comfortable retirement.
Someone close to me referred to his books as “child abuse manuals”, but I’m with you, pigpen: as I get older, I find myself agreeing with more of what he said. Not everything, but enough.
We agree about Lt. Cruikshank. One thing I’ve noticed and can’t explain: it seems like a lot of these guys who were true heroes, and survived serious, even grievous, injures, go on to live virtually forever. Lt. Cruikshank wasn’t even able to return to the RAF because of his injuries, but he lived to be 105?
Is it because they’re tough to start with that enables them to survive? Or surviving makes them so tough that nothing can kill them?
Here is his citation-
When a U-boat was sighted on the surface, Flying Officer Cruickshank at once turned to the attack. In the face of fierce anti-aircraft fire he maneuvered into position and ran in to release his depth charges. Unfortunately they failed to drop…Without hesitation, he climbed and turned to come in again. The Catalina was met by intense and accurate fire and was repeatedly hit. The navigator/bomb aimer was killed. The second pilot and two other members of the crew were injured. Flying Officer Cruickshank was struck in seventy-two places, receiving two serious wounds in the lungs and ten penetrating wounds in the lower limbs. His aircraft was badly damaged and filled with the fumes of exploding shells. But he did not falter. He pressed home his attack, and released the depth charges himself, straddling the submarine perfectly. The U-boat was sunk. He then collapsed and the second pilot took over the controls…Only after he was certain his aircraft was safe and on course for home did he consent to receive medical aid and have his wounds attended to. He refused morphine in case it might prevent him from carrying on…The damaged aircraft eventually reached base but it was clear that an immediate landing would be a hazardous task for the wounded and less experienced second pilot. Although able to breathe only with the greatest difficulty, Flying Officer Cruickshank insisted on being carried forward and propped up in the second pilots seat. For a full hour, in spite of his agony and ever increasing weakness, he gave orders as necessary, until the aircraft was safely landed on the water…When the medical officer went on board, Flying Officer Cruickshank collapsed and he had to be given a blood transfusion before he could be removed to hospital. Throughout, he set an example of determination, fortitude and devotion to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the Service…
Thanks, Old NFO. I appreciate you finding and posting this.