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An RAF navigator has been awarded for heroism under fire while protecting civilians from attack by Gaddafi-regime forces in Libya in 2011.

Flight Lieutenant Ian ‘Abbo’ Abson was attached to the Armée de l’Air, the French Air Force, when he took part in the dangerous night-time missions near Tripoli that won him the Croix de la Valeur Militaire avec Etoile de Bronze (Cross of Military Valour with Bronze Star).

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In the citation for the medal, Flight Lieutenant Abson’s French Air Force superiors praise his ‘superb military qualities’.

It goes on to say:

On 28th March, Flight Lieutenant Abson led a patrol of 4 Mirage 2000D and 2 Rafale aircraft with distinction. During a night-time bombing mission south of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, he successfully destroyed high priority enemy buildings with several laser-guided bombs while under intense threat from ground-to-air defences.

He further showed his skill on reconnaissance missions on the 14th and 17th June when he destroyed 6 Libyan military vehicles that were about to harm the civilian population.

Thanks to his great tenacity and remarkable determination under enemy fire he directly contributed to the success of the coalition forces.

Because of his courage, his sense of responsibility and his selfless acts, he should be held as an example for our nation and he merits the award of the Cross of Military Valour with Bronze Star.

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I know that exact equivalents are difficult to determine, but is this (these!) about equivalent to a DFC?

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