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The RAAF has corrected an 80-year-old administrative oversight with the posthumous awarding of two WWII medals to a war hero.
Acting Flight Lieutenant Tom Carmody, who served in both world wars, was deemed eligible for both the Australian Service Medal 1939–1945 and War Medal 1939–1945 after it was confirmed that he had served in the RAAF and not the Air Training Corps (ATC) during World War II.
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Carmody, the only Australian to be twice awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) for gallantry, served as a Pilot Officer in the Administrative and Special Duties Branch of the RAAF during WWII and helped develop the ATC in NSW.
Julie Carmody, the widow of Carmody’s grandson John, was presented with the two service medals on 10 December at the Office of the Chief of Air Force in Canberra.
“Tom Carmody’s service continues to provide a fine example for the Air Force, Australian Defence Force and the wider Australian community of the values of service, courage, respect, integrity and excellence,” said Wing Commander Richard MacNeil from History and Heritage – Air Force (HH–AF).
“His outstanding professionalism, dedication to duty and bravery, recognised by the unique award to an Australian of the MSM on two occasions, are a testament to his strength of character and the quality of his service to Australia.”
Carmody was given his dual MSMs during World War I, during which he first served in the 11th Australian Light Horse before later enlisting with 2 Squadron (later 3 Squadron), Australian Flying Corps, in September 1916.
“Alongside three other 3 Squadron mechanics, Carmody was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) for gallantry on August 28, 1917, for saving Sergeant R. E. Holmes from a crashed and burning aircraft in England,” Defence said.
“The following year, on November 5, he led efforts to save aircraft from a burning hangar in Premont, France, while ammunition was exploding. These efforts earned him a Bar to his MSM.
“More than 1200 MSMs were awarded to members of the Australian forces for non-operational gallantry or other valuable service between 1916 and 1928, when awards of the MSM for these reasons ended.”
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