The Soldier’s Medal is the highest award the Army gives for non-combat acts of bravery. To qualify for the medal one must willingly and knowingly put themselves in a live threatening situation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldier%27s_Medal
“Doc” and two of his fellow 716th medics, Herman Ingram & Wallace Huegle received the Soldier’s Medal for an incident that occurred on February 23th, 1944.
While riding in the ambulance the three medics saw a British plane crash nearby. They rushed to the site of the crash and entered the plane six times, each time bringing out one of the crew members. Two of the crew were dead, one was gravely injured and three were in better shape, but still injured.
The description of the incident clearly indicates that all three medics put their own life in jeopardy in order to bring the crew members out of the flaming and exploding wreckage.
When “Doc” would tell this story he would always add that he wondered what had happened to the crew members that were alive when they were taken to the hospital. In July 2015 I did an internet search for the RAF and found they had a history division. An email to them brought the following response just a few days later.
Mr M L Hatch
Air Historical Branch 3 (RAF)
Bldg 824
RAF Northolt
West End Road
Ruislip
HA4 6NG
United Kingdom
Telephone [MOD]:
Facsimile [MOD]:
E-mail: Business +44 (0)20 8833 8153
+44 (0)20 8833 8170
ahb.raf@btconnect.com
Ref. D/AHB(RAF)8/27
Mr A R Davis
Via E-Mail: ardforchillicothe@gmail.com
5 Aug 2015
Dear Mr Davis
Thank you for your e-mail of 31 July.
I have checked records held in the branch and have identified the accident concerned.
The aircraft involved was Martin Marauder serial number FK130 of 14 Squadron. The squadron was hosting a cameraman from the RAF Film Production Unit, who wanted to film RAF Marauders in the air. It was decided to place him on board FK130 which was scheduled to undertake an air-test and this would then accompany other Marauders, who had been dispatched on operations, as far as the coast and then return. As you are aware the aircraft subsequently crashed at 09.24 hrs on 23 February 1944 with tragic results.
The crew/passengers were:
Crew.
Pilot – Squadron Leader H Elsey RCAF – Killed
2nd Pilot – Flying Officer H D Merkley RCAF – Killed
Air Gunner – Flying Officer H S Campbell RCAF – Died of Injuries 24 Feb 44.
Navigator – Flying Officer A C Bowes RCAF – Injured Survived
Passengers.
Fitter – Sergeant L A Burbeck RAF – Injured Survived
Camera – Flying Officer J E F Wright DFC RAF – Injured Survived
I am unable to state what the extent of survivors injuries were, or confirm that they survived the War, however, no further entries for them appear in the casualty listings so I can only assume that they did.
I hope that the above will be of use and offer some comfort to your Father-in-Law, that his heroic efforts that day were not in vain.
Yours Sincerely
Mike Hatch
20150805-davis letter from British on incident
“Doc” appreciated knowing that due to their efforts, three of the crew members survived.
Commander Twinning of 47th Wing came to their base to personally award the medals.
"Doc" Allen 