U2
From the London Gazette:
The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to approve the
following awards:
Queen's Gallantry Medal
Flight Lieutenant Bernard John Michael LIMB (506099), Royal Air Force.
Flight Lieutenant Bernard John Michael Limb has served as an Operations Officer at Royal Air Force Akrotiri since July 1977. On 7th December 1977, an aircraft of the United States Air Force crashed onto the station operations complex spreading burning fuel and debris over a large area. Flight Lieutenant Limb was in the operations compound when the crash occurred and was injured, his head and legs being burned. His clothing caught fire and he also
suffered a deep gash on the leg. Ignoring his own injuries, his first thoughts were for the safety of the two operations clerks, Senior Aircraftwoman Battye and Senior Aircraftman Watt, whom he knew to be in the burning operations room at the time of the crash. He ran along the building's rear corridor to the security door at the back of the operations room and called to the clerks. Finding that they were both alive but trapped, he instructed them to lie on the floor breathing fresh air under the door whilst he tried to release them. Flight Lieutenant Limb then entered the adjoining briefing room and tried to climb through the projection hatch, approximately 9 feet above floor level, to reach the operations room. He was, however, driven back by the heat and fell to the floor, injuring his ankle. He then summoned assistance, instructing his helpers to try to gain access through the side walls of the building Only when this work was in progress did he allow himself to be taken away for medical attention. Flight Lieutenant Limb displayed remarkable resourcefulness and courage in attempting to rescue the trapped personnel despite his own shock and injuries and with complete disregard for his own safety.
Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct
E8115645 Senior Aircraftman Michael George WATT, Royal Air Force.
For courage and gallantry of a very high order displayed when he and a companion were trapped inside a burning building following an aircraft crash.