William "Cherry" Vale, DFC & Bar, AFC (3 June 1914 – 29 November 1981) was a Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter pilot and flying ace of the Second World War.

[1][2] Born in Chatham, Kent, William Vale entered the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1931 as a fitter and then as a gunner.

Based in Egypt at the beginning of the war and by then a temporary flight sergeant, Vale flew operations over the Libyan border.

He received a permanent commission in the RAF with the rank of pilot officer (probationary) on 24 June, service number 44068.

[3] Between 1 July 1940 and 28 February 1941 Vale claimed 10 Regia Aeronautica aircraft in the Gladiator, although several of his victories cannot be traced through fragmented Italian records.

But this claim cannot be verified with Italian sources as the 50° Stormo, the only unit operating this type, did not suffer any losses on this day.

He displayed great courage and determination.Vale was posted to RAF Haifa as operations officer, returning to the United Kingdom in April 1942 to become Chief Flying Instructor at No.

[9] In March 1943 Vale attended the Central Gunnery School at Sutton Bridge, then commanded 11 AFC at Fairwood Common until the end of the war.

Acting Squadron Leader Vale was awarded the Air Force Cross on 1 September 1944 for his achievements in training duties.

[10] In 1946 he was officer commanding gunnery and armament testing at West Raynham, but he left the service in October.