William Vale
William Vale | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | "Cherry" |
| Born | 3 June 1914 Chatham, Kent, England |
| Died | 29 November 1981 (aged 67) Brackley, Northamptonshire, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1931–1946 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Unit | No. 33 Squadron RAF No. 80 Squadron RAF |
| Battles / wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar Air Force Cross Mentioned in Despatches |
William "Cherry" Vale, DFC & Bar, AFC (3 June 1914 – 29 November 1981) was a Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter pilot and flying ace of the Second World War. He was credited with 30 enemy aircraft shot down, shared in the destruction of three others, and claimed 6 damaged and another two shared damaged. His 20 kills achieved while flying the Hawker Hurricane and his 10 with the Gloster Gladiator made him the second highest scoring Hurricane and biplane pilot in the RAF, in both cases after Marmaduke Pattle.