Michael Nicholson Crossley, OBE, DSO, DFC (29 May 1912 – 7 December 1987) was a British flying ace of the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War.

Due to a health condition, he was unable to fly on operations for the later years of the war by which time he held the rank of wing commander.

He joined the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1935 on a short service commission, commencing his training in November.

During the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) from Dunkirk, the squadron, now back at Biggin Hill, assisted in providing aerial cover over the beaches.

32 Squadron continued to carry out patrols to France and on 8 June, Crossley shot down two Heinkel He 111 medium bombers near Le Tréport.

[7][6] As a result of his successes Crossley was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on 21 June, which was presented to him by King George VI in a investiture held at Biggin Hill.

[6][10] The citation for his DFC, published in the London Gazette, read: In June, 1940, this officer was the leader of two squadrons of fighters which were carrying out an offensive patrol in the Le Treport area.

Flight Lieutenant Crossley sighted seventeen Heinkel 111's, and displayed outstanding initiative and courage in his method of attack.

32 Squadron was tasked with defending the English airfields and over the following weeks became heavily engaged in countering the bombing raids of the Luftwaffe.

Three days later, with the Luftwaffe escalating its operations, and Crossley destroyed two Ju 88s near Portsmouth and then in a subsequent sortie to intercept a raid on Croydon, shot down two Dornier Do 17 medium bombers, one shared with another pilot.

Scrambled to intercept a group of bombers heading for Kenley, leading it in a head-on attack against the approaching Luftwaffe formation.

[14] Just a few days later, on 24 August, his Hurricane was damaged during an engagement over Folkestone and Crossley had to make a crash landing at Lyminge.

[15] He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order on 30 August; the published citation reads: This officer has led his section, flight and squadron with skill and courage and has flown almost continuously since the commencement of hostilities.

Since May, he has participated in engagements against the enemy over Holland, Belgium and France, including patrols over Dunkirk and St. Valery during the evacuation operations.

He has displayed rare qualities as a leader; his example of courage and tenacity of purpose have proved an inspiration to other members of his squadron.While at Acklington, No.

Soon after, Crossley's operational flying career ended when he contracted tuberculosis and he was restricted in his duties for the remainder of the war.

[1][20] Emigrating to South Africa, Crossley took up agroforestry with the timber from the trees grown on his property used in the mining industry.