Fraser Barron James ' Fraser ' Barron ( 1921 – 1944 ) , DSO & Bar , DFC , DFM was an officer of the Royal New Zealand Air Force ( RNZAF ) who was killed in flying operations during the Second World War . Career . Barron was born on 9 January 1921 in Dunedin , New Zealand . An average student , he was educated at a primary school in Oamaru and then Waitaki Boys ' High School . In 1939 , he was working in Wellington as a cadet in the Mines Department . Barron enlisted in June 1940 and he commenced training in the RNZAF on 2 July that year . He went through training at Taieri and Wigram with Jimmy Ward , who was to win the Victoria Cross . Barron and Ward sailed together on the " Aorangi " in January 1941 and were both stationed at 20 OTU Lossiemouth , in Scotland . After leaving 20 OTC , where Barron and his crew survived a ditching in a Vickers Wellington , he was posted to 15 Squadron stationed at RAF Wyton flying Short Stirling s . Through late 1941 and early 1942 , Barron was quickly promoted to flight sergeant and then pilot officer . In May 1942 , after 42 operations including the thousand bomber raids on Cologne and Essen , he won his first decoration , the Distinguished Flying Medal . The citation read in part that Barron had completed many operatioanl flights as captain of aircraft and proved most reliable , efficient and courageous in pressing home attacks regardless of opposition . Posted to No . 1651 Conversion Unit at Waterbeach as an instructor , Barron preferred operational flying and in September 1942 , he joined 7 Squadron , a founding pathfinder unit . Barron would fly 16 sorties on this tour , during which he was promoted to Flight Lieutenant , followed in December 1942 by the award of his Path Finder Force badge . At the end of his tour in February 1943 , Barron was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for " courage , skill and determination " . A fortnight later he was awarded his first Distinguished Service Order for " exceptional gallantry and devotion to duty " . Promotions also quickly followed , to flight lieutenant ( skipping the rank of flying officer ) and squadron leader , the latter when he was at No . 11 OTU after finishing his second tour , by order of RAF Bomber Command headquarters . Tiring of the training environment , Barron eventually persuaded the Group Captain to approve his return to operations . Barron rejoined the now Lancaster equipped 7 Squadron in December 1943 and took part in several sorties including on the night of 19 / 20 February 1944 , the Leipzig raid , during which the Royal Air Force lost 78 bombers . He was promoted to Wing Commander in February 1944 and on 28 April was appointed Commanding Officer 7 Squadron . Barron and his crew were now often used as Master Bomber to control bomber attacks and for one such attack on Nantes on 7 May 1944 , he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order ( DSO ) . His citation read in part ; This officer was captain of an aircraft detailed to attack Cologne . When nearing the target area his aircraft was held in a cone of searchlights and subjected to heavy fire from ground defences . Despite this , Flight Lieutenant Barron remained on his course , defying an intense and concentrated barrage and pressed home a successful attack on his second run over the target . Barron was awarded a Bar to his DSO in June 1944 ; his citation read : On the night of 19 / 20 May 1944 , while acting as master bomber ( his 79th sortie in all ) , Barron was directing an attack on railway yards at Le Mans , France . What exactly happened is debated , but a collision with his deputy ' s aircraft is considered the most likely event . The 15 men on the two 7 Squadron aircraft were all killed . Barron was buried at Le Mans West Cemetery ; he was 23 years old . Barron was one of only four New Zealanders to be awarded a bar to his DSO and was considered a standout bomber pilot of the war .