NASH, James Alexander
| Service Number: | 410368 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 6 December 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Pilot Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 6 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Carlton Victoria Australia , 10 January 1923 |
| Home Town: | Auburn, Boroondara, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Cutter |
| Died: | Flying Battle, New Britain Pacific Islands, New Britain, Pacific Islands, 28 March 1944, aged 21 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Rabaul Memorial Rabaul Papua New Guinea - Panel 35, Rabaul Memorial, Rabaul, East New Britain, Papua New Guinea |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Rabaul Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Pilot Officer, 410368 | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Dec 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 410368, No. 1 Initial Training School Somers | |
| 6 Dec 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer, 410368 | |
| 17 Sep 1942: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant | |
| 18 Dec 1942: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 410368, No. 14 Squadron (RAAF), Air War SW Pacific 1941-45 | |
| 1 May 1943: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant | |
| 25 Sep 1943: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Sergeant, 410368, No. 6 Squadron (RAAF), Air War SW Pacific 1941-45 | |
| 29 Feb 1944: | Honoured Distinguished Flying Medal, Air War SW Pacific 1941-45 | |
| 1 Mar 1944: | Promoted Royal Australian Air Force, Pilot Officer |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Graham Padget
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE
HONOURS AND AWARDS.
DISTINGUISHED FLYING MEDAL
NO. 410368. FLIGHT SERGEANT JAMES ALEXANDER NASH
CITATION.
Flight Sergeant NASH has served as a wireless operator airgunner in operations for more than twelve months and has completed 573 operational hours including 116 sorties and 14 strikes. He has at all times shown outstanding skill, courage and devotion to duty.
While on patrol early in January the Beaufort aircraft of which he was a member of the crew developed engine trouble. Immediately he became aware of this fact, on his own initiative he got in contact with his base by R/T and with great coolness for the next nine minutes he maintained control until the aircraft made an emergency landing in the sea. He continued to pass position reports and only left his post and joined the rest of the crew when the water reached his W/T set. As the aircraft sank quickly and the dinghy did not function, it was undoubtedly due to his coolness and efficiency in giving an accurate position that the air sea rescue organisation was able to find and rescue the five members of the crew who were swimming in the sea.
Transcribed un-edited from the Citation document in the Service Record of Pilot Officer James Alexander Nash.
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