Donald Arthur MacLEAN (1916-

Name:	MacLEAN, Donald Arthur
Nationality:	Canadian
Regiment/Service:	Royal Canadian Air Force
Rank:	Squadron Leader
Service No.:	R/112723/ J/17476
Date of Birth:	02 April 1916 - Toronto, York, ON
Date of Death:	February 17, 1995

MacLEAN, FS Donald Arthur (R112723, later J17476) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.617 Squadron - award effective 23 May 1943 as per London Gazette dated 28 May 1943 and AFRO 1187/43 dated 25 June 1943. Born in Toronto, 2 April 1916; home there (teacher after attending University of Toronto and Toronto Normal School). Enlisted there 30 June 1941 and posted to No.1 Manning Depot. To a BGS, 08 August 1941 as guard. To No.5 ITS, 01 September 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 26 October 1941 but not posted to No.9 AOS until 09 November 1941; to No.1 BGS, 14 February 1942; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 28 March 1942; posted that date to No.2 ANS; graduated 27 April 1942; to “Y” Depot, 28 April 1942; to No.31 OTU, 12 May 1942; to RAF overseas, 23 June 1942. Promoted Flight Sergeant, 01 March 1943. Commissioned 20 April 1943. Promoted Flying Officer, 20 October 1943. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 20 April 1945. Presented at Buckingham Palace 22 June 1943. Flew two tours. Repatriated, 03 May 1945. Remained in postwar RCAF (armament specialist, 25926); promoted Squadron Leader, 19 June 1951 and Wing Commander, 1 July 1955. NOTE: This was the Dambusters Raid; DSO to F/L J.C. McCarthy, CGM (Flying) to F.S. K.W. Brown, Bar to DFC to F/O D.R. Walker, DFCs to F/O T.H. Taerum and G.A. Deering, DFM also to Sergeant S. Oancia - all with the following citation:

On the night of the 16th May, 1943, a force of Lancaster bombers was detailed to attack the Moehne, Eder and Sorpe dams in Germany. The operation was one of great difficulty and hazard, demanding a high degree of skill and courage and close co-operation between the crews of the aircraft engaged. Nevertheless, a telling blow was struck at the enemy by the successful breaching of the Moehne and Eder dams. This outstanding success reflects the greatest credit on the efforts of the above mentioned personnel who participated in the operation, in various capacities as members of aircraft crew.