Frank Bladin

Frank Bladin.
Frank Bladin (26 August 1898 – 2 February 1978) was a senior commander in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Born in rural Victoria, he graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in 1920 and transferred to the RAAF in 1923. He took command of No. 1 Squadron in 1934. Ranked wing commander at the outbreak of World War II, by September 1941 Bladin was promoted to acting air commodore. He became Air Officer Commanding (AOC) North-Western Area in March 1942, and earned the US Silver Star. In 1943, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire and posted to No. 38 Group RAF in Europe. Promoted acting air vice-marshal in 1946, Bladin was among the senior officers who helped shape the post-war RAAF, serving as Chief of Staff of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan, AOC Eastern Area, and Air Member for Personnel. Appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1950, he retired from the RAAF in 1953. He was also active in veterans' affairs.