Rank Flight Sergeant Died February 7, 1945 Name Stan Woodbridge | Awards George Cross Service number 1393806 Unit No. 159 Squadron RAF | |
Born 29 August 1921 ( 1921-08-29 ) Service/branch Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve | ||
Flight Sergeant Stanley James Woodbridge, (29 August 1921 – 7 February 1945), known as Stan Woodbridge, was a British World War II recipient of the George Cross. He was born in Chelsea, London, and during World War II served as a member of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, with No. 159 Squadron RAF.
Woodbridge was captured by Japanese forces along with five other members of his crew, when their Consolidated Liberator aircraft crashed in Burma. Woodbridge, who was the crew's wireless operator, was subjected to torture, and was eventually beheaded along with the three other non-commissioned officers from his crew. The two commissioned officers from the crew were taken to Rangoon Jail and found alive when Rangoon was liberated. Throughout his ordeal, Woodbridge refused to give information to his Japanese captors, about his codes or radio equipment.
In 1948, Woodbridge was posthumously awarded the George Cross, in recognition of his courage and devotion to duty.
Woodbridge is buried at the Rangoon War Cemetery.