BX March 13, 1919

Italian Medal for Local Flyer – Lieut. Raymond C. Muir’s Heroism on Italian Front Recognized

Major R.C. Muir, Brantford, has been forwarded the Italian medal on behalf of his son, Lieut. Raymond Cuthbertson Muir. The inscription is as follows: “Presented by General Montucrl, commanding 6th Italian Army Corp. to Lieut. Raymond C. Muir for services in the battles on the Piave River, June 1918, when a member of the 20th Squadron Royal Air Force.”

The medal bears the Italian inscription which translated means, “Brothers in faith and victory; the army of the heights.”  The ribbon colors are red, white, green and blue and run horizontally.

The engine of Lieut. Raymond Cuthbertson Muir’s airplane was hit by an Austrian shell when at a height of 4000 feet, and one mile within the Austrian lines. He managed to volplane toward the Italian lines and landed on the Austrian side of Piave River where, for four days without food, he lay on the edge of the bank with his head in the water, so as to protect himself against poisonous gas. The Austrians endeavored to snipe him, but the Italian gunners held them back; finally boatmen were dispatched from Venice and Lieut. Muir was rescued.

This was one of the most brilliant episodes performed by any member of the Canadian Air Force. Lieut. Muir is 20 years of age and was in the head office of the Bank of Montreal before his war service. He speaks French fluently and this ability won him rapid promotion and transfer to the Italian lines.