Raymond Brown Hesselyn

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Squadron Leader Raymond Brown Hesselyn MBE, DFC, DFM and Bar (March 13, 1921 - November 14, 1963) was one of New Zealand's top fighter aces in World War II.

Hesselyn was born in Dunedin, New Zealand. In civilian life, he was a machinist.

He joined the Territorial Army in 1939, before joining the Royal New Zealand Air Force. After training, he was posted to Britain in September, 1941, joining first 61 Operational Training Unit, then 234 Squadron.

In February, 1942, he was sent to Malta aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle, joining 249 Squadron on March 7, 1942. On April Fools Day, he recorded his first two kills, a Bf 109 and a Ju 87. During the month, he shot down another Bf 109 and Ju 87, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM). May proved to be just as productive, with Hesselyn claiming four 109's and a Ju 88. He received a bar for his DFM and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer. Before returning to England, he dispatched one more 109.

Hesselyn joined 501 Squadron in early 1943 and shot down a Fw 190 and two 109s. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross in September. His luck finally ran out on October 3, 1943. After downing three 109s, bringing his total to 21½ confirmed kills, he was forced to bail out of his burning plane and was taken prisoner.

He escaped once, but was recaptured and spent the rest of the war making repeated attempts to rejoin the fight. As a result of his conduct as a prisoner of war, he was made a Member of the British Empire in 1946. He remained in the Royal Air Force, eventually reaching the rank of squadron leader.

He died in Uxbridge on November 14, 1963.