Luitenant ter Zee VK 20C b.d. Gerardus Gerard van Schooten

Gerard van Schooten joined the R. NI. N. in 1936 as a Leerling Miegmigmaker derde klas (apprentice mechanic) but by December, 1941 was a korporaal boordwerkluigkundigelmitraileurschutter (Corporal, Flight Engineer/air gunner), and flew 76 combat missions in the Dormer 24 and PBY Catalinas. He was awarded the Miegerskruis for his actions in the Chance Encounter and was twice awarded the Bronzen Kruis; firstly for bravery under fire during a Japanese air raid on the sea plane base at Surabaya. Secondly on his last flight when, spotting a Japanese invasion fleet heading for Java, his PBY Catalina was attacked by six Zeros, shot down and crash-landed in the sea. The last to leave the plane, he took control of the wounded and tried - unsuccessfully - to evade capture. For the remainder of the war Gerard was in a Japanese prison camp in Java, using his technical skills to make artificial limbs for the mutilated Allied POWs. He also succeeded in making a radio (punishable by instant death), which he hid in a prisoners wooden leg. He is the highest decorated NCO in the R.NI.N. Air Service.

Items Signed by Luitenant ter Zee VK 20C b.d. Gerardus Gerard van Schooten

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