S/L. Close had been awarded the Empire Gallantry Medal in 1937. he was duty pilot on the Miranshah aerodrome when an aircraft laden with bombs crashed and burst into flames. The then, P/O. Close, despite the explosion of a bomb and small arms ammunition, made persistent attempts to extinguish the flames and rescue the crew, until he was restrained by a superior officer.

The EGM was later superceeded by the George Cross (pictured)