HATFIELD, Leslie K., Captain (1/7518),
3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, 1953

Captain Hatfield, 3 RAR, distinguished himself through meritorious achievement while participating in flights from 18 April 1953 to 1 May 1953. Serving on temporary duty with the 6147th Tactical Control Group, Fifth Air Force, Captain Hatfield participated in numerous flights from an airstrip in Korea to target areas behind enemy lines. Despite the hazards involved, Captain Hatfield flew as an observer in an unarmed T-6 aircraft which penetrated areas of ground activity to locate enemy targets and direct close support aircraft. Through his outstanding airmanship, courage and devotion to duty, Captain Hatfield contributed substantially to the success of UN operations in Korea, and was a source of inspiration to those in the Far East Air Forces and the British Commonwealth Forces.

Majon'ni, Korea, July 1952. Overlooking the terrain of the Samichon Valley.
(AWM HOBJ3467)