Medal Bar of six medals awarded to Sqdn Ldr James Stanley Reed

Squadron Leader James Reed was a wireless operator who completed a tour of bombing operations with No. 214 Squadron before undertaking a second operational tour with No. 138 Special Duties Squadron during which time he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

During one sortie, the engines of the Handley Page Halifax, on which Reed served as wireless operator, iced up while en route to drop an agent over France. The crew was forced to abandon the aircraft and parachuted into occupied France, where they were assisted by the French Resistance in escaping to Spain. The citation for Reed's Distinguished Flying Cross states that 'In air operations this officer has displayed courage, fortitude and determination of a high order.'