Identity
Title
Forenames
Thomas Welch AWMM
Surname
Horton AWMM
Ingoa
Also known as
Tom AWMM
Service number
WWII NZ39920 AWMM
Gender
Iwi
Hapū
Waka
Rohe
Religion
Service
Medals and Awards
- Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) AWMM
18 September 1945 AWMM
"Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross Wing Commander Horton has completed a large number of operational sorties. At all times he has shown great skill as a pilot and, more recently sound judgement and fine leadership as a flight commander and deputy squadron commander. This officer has always shown great courage and determination in pressing home his attacks and has obtained some excellent results." AWMM - Distinguished Flying Cross and bar (DFC*) AWMM
5 August 1942 AWMM
"Throughout his operational tour, this officer has displayed courage, resource and high skill. He has participated in a large number of sorties, including low level attacks on shipping. His aircraft has been repeatedly hit and damaged by enemy fire and, on 3 occasions, he has flown his aircraft safely back to this country after having had one engine rendered useless by enemy attacks." 5 August 1942;
Bar for Distinguished Flying Cross "Since his previous awar Squadron Leader Horton has completed many successful sorties during which he has attacked a wide range of target. He has on all occasions shown great courage and determination and has done much valuable work."10 August 1944 AWMM - New Zealand Defence Meritorious Service Medal AWMM
Capture details
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Liberation Repatriation
POW liberation details
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Death
Death
Date of death
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Death notes
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Leave a note
Leave a tribute or memory of
Thomas Welch Horton
Processing
Sources
External links
- Ben Stanley, Love and luck: 99-year-old World War II pilot reflects on war, www.stuff.co.nz, 21 April 2019
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/112102038/love-and-luck-99yearold-world-war-ii-pilot-reflects-on-war
Further Reference - Episode 26 – W/C Tom Horton DSO, DFC*, (pff), The Wings Over New Zealand Show Aviation Podcast
http://www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/2012/08/episode-26-wc-tom-horton-dso-dfc-pff/
Further Reference - Thomas W. Horton (RAF officer), Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_W._Horton_(RAF_officer)
Further Reference - Connie Lawn, 'Ambassador Moore meets Wing Commander Thomas Welch Horton', New Zealand Embassy, Washington D.C., 30 April 2014
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1404/S00233/ambassador-moore-meets-wing-commander-thomas-welch-horton.htm
Further Reference - Stanely, Ben. Far from home, decorated Kiwi WW2 Pilot Turns 100. Stuff.co.nz.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/118498358/far-from-home-decorated-kiwi-ww2-pilot-turns-100
Further Reference - PHOTOS: 99-year-old WWII veteran receives New Zealand service medal. Naples Daily News. 25 December 2019.
https://www.naplesnews.com/picture-gallery/life/2019/12/24/99-year-old-wwii-veteran-receives-new-zealand-service-medal/2737965001/
Further Reference
Documents
Hanson, C. (2001). By such deeds: honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923-1999. Christchurch, N.Z.: Volplane Press. AWMM
p.259-60 AWMM
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