 During Operation Hydra in August 1943 , a bombing raid on a German military research facility at Peenemünde , he acted as deputy master bomber , making 17 passes over the target . He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order ( DSO ) in September 1943 , in part for his leadership during the raid . Soon after that raid he was promoted to acting group captain of that squadron , which had become a member of No. 8 ( Pathfinder ) Group . 
