Air Force Cross: Flight Lieutenant Ronald Jack McKimm, RAAF Accession Number: REL/15932.002

Description

Air Force Cross (EIIR). Engraved reverse lower arm with year of award.

Contextual Description

022084 (previously 429262) Ronald Jack McKimm enlisted in the RAAF in 1942 and trained as a pilot. He served in 85 Squadron and later transferred as a Warrant Officer to 452 Squadron. McKimm was discharged in 1946, but re-enlisted in 1950 and was commissioned. He was awarded an Air Force Cross in 1955. The recommendation for the award reads, 'As Captain of a Royal Australian Air Force Helicopter engaged in flood rescue and relief operations in north west New South Wales and Queensland, Flight Lieutenant McKIMM was directly responsible for the rescue from imminent death by drowning of five men, the evacuation to hospital of a number of men, women and children in various stages of sickness and exhaustion and the locating and supplying of food to many people marooned and foodless. Due to the failure of the aircraft winch mechanism, three of five rescues involved descending to a height sufficiently low for the rescuee to be assisted through the door. This meant bringing the aircraft to hover with the wheels just above the flood water in which the men were standing waist deep. In each case there was no option but to fly the aircraft vertically through trees, telephone and/or high tension wires. Courage and skill of the highest order were displayed by Flight Lieutnenant McKimm. In the initial period there was no shelter and little food available, operations commenced at first light and continued throughout the daylight hours. Despite the physical strain involved in flying a helicopter and the lack of sleep and food, Flight Lieutnenant McKimm flew seven sorties totalling eight hours in one day. Throughout the period of operations, his sencse of humour, his loyalty and his untiring example contributed materially to the maintenance of the morale of all members of the detachment. In 1966 Wing Commander McKimm was appointed to command 37 Squadron in South Vietnam. He was promoted to Group Captain in 1970 and to Air Commodore in 1975.