Glen Cooper
Glen Cooper | |
|---|---|
Second World War
Malayan Emergency | |
| Awards | Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Flying Cross Air Force Cross |
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
.
Early life
Born on 20 November 1915 in
Melbourne. After finishing his education at Melbourne High School, he entered the workforce as a manchester salesman.[2]
Military career
At the age of 19, Cooper enlisted in the
Adelaide, where he took up an instructor position at an aero club.[2]
Second World War
In 1940 Cooper was recalled from the Citizen Air Force (the RAAF reserve) and promoted to
New Guinea Campaign, and Cooper, having been made temporary squadron leader on being put in command of the squadron, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1944.[2][1]
In July 1944, Cooper returned to Australia and once again took up instructor duties, this time at
Borneo campaign. Cooper remained in command of No. 80 Wing until the end of the war. In September 1945, Cooper was put in command of No. 81 Wing, which was tasked with occupation duties in Japan. He returned to Australia in 1947, having been promoted to acting group captain at the time of taking over No. 81 Wing.[2]
Postwar career
Granted a permanent commission as an acting wing commander in September 1948, Cooper held several postwar commands, including
RAAF Butterworth Base in Malaya during the Malayan Emergency, and Cooper was awarded the Air Force Cross for his leadership. He also undertook diplomatic duties, serving as air attaché in Paris from 1963 to 1966, and helped with the integration of the Mirage fighter jet into Australian service. Promoted to acting air commodore in 1966 (made permanent in 1968), Cooper retired from the Royal Australian Air Force in 1970 having spent his final years as commander of RAAF Base Williamtown.[2]
Later life
Cooper was appointed a
Commander of the Order of the British Empire[3] shortly after his retirement and died of cancer on 6 April 1986. He was survived by his wife and two children.[2]
References
- ^ a b "DFC – Glen Albert Cooper". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f Lancaster, Don. "Cooper, Glen Albert (1915–1986)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Australian National University. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
- ^ "CBE – Glen Albert Cooper". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
