Details: Join us as we dedicate our Supermarine Spitfire in its new markings to S/L Thomas DeCourcy, DFC.
OFFICIAL CITATION FOR THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS (DFC) AWARDED TO SQUADRON LEADER THOMAS DECOURCY:
Squadron Leader DeCourcy has participated in a very large number of varied sorties. He has invaluably displayed a high degree of skill and courage and throughout his devotion to duty has
been unfailing.
In April 1945, this officer led the squadron in an operation against the airfields at Schwerin and
Neustadt where numerous aircraft and much mechanized transport were most effectively attacked.
By his skillful leadership, Squadron Leader DeCourcy contributed materially to the success achieved.
In air fighting, this officer has been responsible for three enemy aircraft.
Growing up in Windsor, Thomas DeCourcy, or Tommy as he was known, had a reputation as being an honest and courteous young man. During the summer of 1940, at the age of nineteen, he enlisted in the RCAF. After his training, he was posted overseas where he flew Spitfires with 118 Squadron RCAF. In 1943, Flying Officer DeCourcy was assigned to 421 Squadron RCAF. He completed his first tour in February 1944 and after a few months of instructing, returned to 421 Squadron RCAF to begin his second tour.
In March 1945, DeCourcy was promoted to Squadron Leader (S/L) of 443 Squadron RCAF. During his time there, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. For most of his sorties, he flew a new bubble canopied Spitfire Mk. XVIe, TD239 2I-C.
Shortly after the war ended, S/L DeCourcy was tragically killed in a car accident on June 7, 1945.
Learn the entire story of Squadron Leader Thomas Joseph DeCourcy, DFC.