Frank Watkins ( pilot ) Frank Vernon Watkins ( 1922 – 1942 ) was an officer of the Royal New Zealand Air Force ( RNZAF ) during the Second World War . He was killed in air operations trying to save a close comrade and for this action was recommended for the Victoria Cross , the most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces . Career . Watkins was born in Dargaville , a town in the North Island of New Zealand , but grew up in Ruawai , a small farming community located a few miles away . After completing High School , Watkins moved to Wellington where he worked for the Native Lands Office . At the age of 18 , he enlisted on 1 December 1940 . Watkins sailed for Britain in June 1941 . He was initially posted to 106 Squadron RAF where he flew five operations on Manchesters , and one with OTU , and then 21 operations flying Wellingtons with 150 Squadron based at Snaith , Yorkshire . Watkins was then chosen for the recently formed pathfinders , joining 156 Squadron RAF on 1 December 1942 . He was now an experienced and above average captain . On the evening of 20 December 1942 , Watkins was flying his Wellington on a mission headed for Duisburg , in the Ruhr . Flying with Watkins that evening was navigator John Carter , a squadron leader with a DFC . In a letter written from Stalag Luft III on 5 January 1943 to the commanding officer of 156 Squadron , Tommy Rivett - Carnac , Carter described how they ' d taken direct flak directly over the target , with the bomb aimer Bill Brook - Norris being severely wounded . Watkins and Brook - Norris had flown together for some time and had become close friends . Carter stated that they had intended to inject the wounded airman with morphine and then launch him from the aircraft by parachute . While preparing for this , the Wellington was hit again and suddenly the aircraft was too low and out of control . The rest of the crew had already jumped when Watkins ordered Carter out and said he was staying . The Wellington crashed shortly afterwards killing both Watkins and Brook - Norris . Watkins and Brook - Norris were found in the crash remains in the target area and now lie together in the Reichswald Forest Cemetery . Watkins was 20 years old . Recommendation for VC . In Carter ' s letter to Rivett - Carnac , he wrote : Recommending a Victoria Cross for Watkins , Rivett - Carnac mentioned his unquestionable and unequalled courage in the face of death was considered worthy of the highest award that can be made by His Majesty the King . It was noted that from the evidence of Carter ' s letter that Watkins had displayed the highest qualities as a captain of an aircraft . Firstly , he ordered those members of the crew who could be of no further assistance to him to bale out , and then waited until the last moment before he ordered the navigator to bale out , when in his own mind he considered that he would be forced to make a crash landing . It would appear that at no time did the question of his own safety enter Warrant Officer Watkin ' s mind . Group Captain Kirkpatrick , Commanding Officer of RAF Station Wyton , added his comments the same day , stating : The recommendation was sent to the Air Ministry , but because the supporting evidence was insufficient at that time , it was deferred for further investigation when Carter and the rest of the surviving crew were repatriated from prisoner of war camps after the end of the war in Europe . It is not known if the crew were actually interviewed , but Watkins ultimately received only a posthumous Mention in Despatches , published in the London Gazette of 13 June 1946 ( with effect from 20 December 1942 ) . At the time , the VC and Mentions were the only military gallantry awards made posthumously .