Francis John Leonard Downing
Wing Commander (retired), DFC, DFC(US)

Known as ‘John’ Downing. 19/4/1934 – 22/8/2025

South Australian Aviation Museum. History Week talk 2023.
Kristian, John & Louise Downing with … , in front of a Canberra bomber, similar to the one John was flying when hit during 2 separate missions over Vietnam and successfully ejected from.

Listen to Capt. Larry D Bruce DFC, FAC read his report about John’s outstanding air strike performance during a mission in Vietnam, while suffering serious battle damage to the aircraft on 9 February 1971. This led to John being awarded a US DFC (United States Distinguished Flying Cross)