GRAETZ [MC], Raymond Arnold
"While on a bombing mission at Wewak on 20 May 1944, Beaufort A9-571 was shot down by ground fire and ditched. Two crew members were killed by ground fire after the ditching, one was last seen swimming away to sea and the fourth crew members was rescued by a USN patrol boat. The crew members of A9-571 were: Flying Officer Sydney Louis Anderson (410192) (Navigator) Killed by ground fire Flying Officer Raymond Arnold Graetz MC (417175) (Wireless Air Gunner) Rescued, Discharged from the RAAF: 18 September 1946 Flight Sergeant Francis Maloney (410995) (Wireless Air Gunner) Last seen swimming away. Flying Officer Lyle Manhire McLaren (416874) (Pilot) Killed by ground fire. Flying Officer Graetz who survived the crash, evaded capture behind enemy lines for 10 days, was rescued by a PT boat and returned safe to his unit on 30 May 1944. For his exploits he was awarded the Military Cross.”
"While on a bombing mission at Wewak on 20 May 1944, Beaufort A9-571 was shot down by ground fire and ditched. Two crew members were killed by ground fire after the ditching, one was last seen swimming away to sea and the fourth crew members was rescued by a USN patrol boat. The crew members of A9-571 were: Flying Officer Sydney Louis Anderson (410192) (Navigator) Killed by ground fire Flying Officer Raymond Arnold Graetz MC (417175) (Wireless Air Gunner) Rescued, Discharged from the RAAF: 18 September 1946 Flight Sergeant Francis Maloney (410995) (Wireless Air Gunner) Last seen swimming away. Flying Officer Lyle Manhire McLaren (416874) (Pilot) Killed by ground fire. Flying Officer Graetz who survived the crash, evaded capture behind enemy lines for 10 days, was rescued by a PT boat and returned safe to his unit on 30 May 1944. For his exploits he was awarded the Military Cross.”