Australian Service Medal (1945-75) : Air Commodore R J McKimm

Australian Service Medal (1945-75) with 'KOREA' and 'SW PACIFIC' clasps. Engraved on reverse with recipient's details.

022084 (previously 429262) Ronald Jack McKimm was born in Bathurst, NSW, in 1924. He enlisted in the RAAF on 5 November 1942 and trained as a pilot. He served as a flight sergeant with 85 Squadron, flying Boomerangs, and later transferred as a warrant officer to 452 Squadron, flying Spitfires in Darwin, and Tarakan in the Netherlands East Indies. McKimm was discharged from the RAAF on 29 January 1946, but re-enlisted in 1950 and was commissioned.

He was awarded an Air Force Cross in 1955 when, as a helicopter pilot, he rescued five people from drowning during flooding in northern New South Wales. From 1966 until 1970 Wing Commander McKimm was appointed to command the newly re-formed 37 Squadron, responsible for flying medevac flights in C-130s out of South Vietnam, and transporting supplies and equipment into the country. The first transport flight landed at Vung Tau on 5 February 1967. McKimm was the overall commander of all RAAF units stationed at Vung Tau. The squadron also carried out bushfire and flood relief within Australia. McKimm was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his work. He was promoted to group captain in 1970 and to air commodore in 1975.