Aussie PGA mourns death of bomber pilot

Dan Cullen DFC (101)

The PGA of Australia is mourning the loss of its longest serving member and decorated World War II bomber pilot, Dan Cullen DFC.
Cullen, pictured, a Life Member of the PGA, passed away on Australia Day after a short illness. He was 101.
"It is  a sad day for the PGA and the golf industry, we've lost a doyen of the game and the Membership," said Brian Thorburn, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian PGA.
In 1941 Cullen enlisted in the RAAF and was deployed to Europe and for  three years piloted Lancaster bombers - a job that held less than a one in four chance of surviving 30 missions.
Incredibly, Cullen piloted 32 operational flights over Europe and survived.
On a bombing run over Friedrichshafen in April 1944 Cullen had a  narrow escape when a shell attack by the enemy crippled his plane and injured his crew. But he got the plane back to base.
These heroics earned Cullen the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) medal.
In July 2015 Cullen received  the Legion d'Honneur Medal, the highest decoration in France, for his active service as a Lancaster Bomber pilot over French soil during World War II.
Cullen's loyal service to the golf industry and the dedication he showed in growing the game will continue to be remembered.
Cullen won the West Australian Open and, following this in 1939, defeated South African Bobby Locke in an exhibition game at Royal Perth Golf Club.