John Alexander Cruickshank – The Man Who Refused to Die

John Alexander Cruickshank - The Man Who Refused to Die

In 1944, John Cruickshank was flying a mission over the North Atlantic when he spotted a German U-boat. Despite heavy fire, he made a deadly bombing run and successfully struck the target.

But then it happened!

Shells ripped through his plane. He was hit 12 times. His lungs were punctured, his chest torn open. Blood soaked the cockpit. Yet he refused to let go.

With no co-pilot trained to land the flying boat, Cruickshank stayed conscious for five hours, guiding his crew home through storm and pain. He waited until daylight to land, to keep them safe.

He lived. And every man on board survived.

He was awarded the Victoria Cross, and his crew called him more than a pilot. They called him a Lion of the Sky.

Let his name remind us what British courage looks like: holding on when the world goes dark. Great Britain, awaken that courage again. Let us be worthy of the men who never let go.

John Alexander Cruickshank - the man who refused to die!

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