Sergeant Hannah Receives V.C. From The King: Sergeant John Hannah (left) congratulated by a Royal Air Force warrant officer as he left Buckingham Palace wearing the Victoria Cross. Sergeant John Hannah, 18-year-old air gunner of the Royal Air Force, went to Buckingham Palace to receive the Victoria Cross awarded him in recognition of the valour he displayed when he remained behind in a bomber to put out a fire instead of baling out. Sergeant Hannah came to London especially for the occasion. October 10, 1940.