Milton James COTTEE AFC, MID

COTTEE, Milton James

Service Numbers: 446011, O22222, A22222
Enlisted: 5 December 1944
Last Rank: Group Captain
Last Unit: Air Force Headquarters
Born: Murwillumbah, New South Wales, Australia, 13 October 1926
Home Town: Murwillumbah, Tweed, New South Wales
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: RAAF Pilot
Died: Natural causes, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, 1 May 2018, aged 91 years
Cemetery: Woden (Canberra) Public Cemetery, ACT
Memorials:
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World War 2 Service

5 Dec 1944: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Group Captain, O22222
5 Dec 1944: Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Air Cadet, 446011

Korean War Service

2 Jul 1950: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, O22222
2 Jul 1950: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, A22222, No. 77 Squadron (RAAF)

Vietnam War Service

20 May 1968: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Wing Commander, O22222
20 May 1968: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Squadron Leader, O22222, No. 36 Squadron (RAAF)

World War 2 Service

31 Mar 1976: Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Group Captain, O22222

Non Warlike Service

31 Mar 1976: Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Group Captain, O22222, Air Force Headquarters

World War 2 Service

Date unknown: Involvement Group Captain, O22222

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Biography contributed by David Barlow

Milton James Cottee late of Fisher (ACT) died aged 91 on the 1st of May 2018 - Death Notice published in the Sydney Morning Herald / Canberra Times

Milton James Cottee (O22222 / A22222 / 446011) enlisted for RAAF service in December 1944 as a trainee pilot and discharged from the RAAF in March 1976 with the rank of Group Captain while working in Air Force Headquarters at the Department of Defence (DEFAIR) in Russell Offices, Canberra (administered by RAAF Support Unit Canberra)

Milton Cottee flew aircraft in WW2, Korea and Vietnam - in July 1950 he was briefly reported as MIA while flying RAAF 77 (Fighter) Squadron Mustang A68-799 along with Pilot Officer Leslie Reading O5879 (Mustang A68-726) and Flying Officer Kenneth Duncan McLeod O31479 (Mustang A68-813) while on a mission in the Assule region in Korea 6 (all 3 were reported safe after landing at an American Air Base)

During his test flying career he successfully landed at least three stricken aircraft with no significant damage or injury:

Mustang A68-156 of 22 Squadron on 10 October 1953 due to engine failure during a test flight at Richmond aerodrome [Directorate of Flying Safety report]

Sabre A94-914 at Laverton on 25 May 1960 - Special occurrence due to generator failure and subsequent release of RAAF Special Technical Instruction STI SABRE/49

Sabre A94-935 at Laverton on 21 June 1960

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