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In the RFC Park first learned to instruct and then learned to fly. After a spell as an instructor (March 1917 to the end of June) he was posted to France and managed a posting to join [[No. 48 Squadron RAF|48 Squadron]],<ref name=air/> at La Bellevue (near [[Arras]]), on 7 July 1917. Within a week the squadron moved to Frontier Aerodrome just east of [[Dunkirk]]. Park flew the new [[Bristol F.2 Fighter|Bristol Fighter]] (a two-seat biplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraft) and soon achieved successes against German fighters, earning, on 17 August, the [[Military Cross]] for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty", after shooting down an enemy aircraft and Causing the Destruction of three others<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=30466|date=9 January 1918|startpage=634|supp=yes|accessdate=1 November 2008}}</ref> with [[Arthur Noss]] as his gunner.<ref>Franks et al. 1997, p. 40.</ref> He was promoted to temporary [[Captain (British Army and Royal Marines)|captain]] on 11 September. |
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After a break from flying. Park returned to France as a [[Major (United Kingdom)|major]] to command [[No. 48 Squadron RAF|48 Squadron]].<ref name=air/> Here he showed his ability as a tough but fair commander, showing discipline, leadership and an understanding of the technical aspects of air warfare. |
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By the end of the war the strain of command had all but exhausted Park, but he had achieved much as a pilot and commander. He had earned a [[Medal bar|bar]] to his [[Military Cross]],<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=30355|date=27 October 1917|startpage=11108|supp=yes|accessdate=1 November 2008}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=30583|date=18 March 1918|startpage=3418|supp=yes|accessdate=1 November 2008}}</ref> the [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]]<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=31378|date=3 June 1919|startpage=7032|supp=yes|accessdate=1 November 2008}}</ref> and the French [[Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (France)|Croix de Guerre]]. His final tally of aircraft claims was five destroyed and 14 (and one shared) "out of control". (His 13th "credit" of 5 September 1917 was Lieutenant Franz Pernet of ''[[Jasta]] [[Oswald Boelcke|Boelcke]]'' (a stepson of General [[Erich Ludendorff]])).<ref>[http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/people/32657-ludendorffs-son.html "Ludendorff."] ''theaerodrome.com.'' Retrieved: 8 September 2011.</ref> He was also shot down twice during this period. |
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