High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! John Margrave Lerew, DFC (20 August 1912 – 24 February 1996) was a high-ranking officer and pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during World War II, and afterwards a senior manager in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). As the commander of No. 24 Squadron, based in New Britain, he became famous in the annals of Air Force history for his irreverent response to orders by RAAF Headquarters, Melbourne, during the Battle of Rabaul in January 1942. After his squadron was directed to assist in repelling the invading Japanese fleet with its one serviceable bomber, and to keep its bombed airfield open, Lerew signalled headquarters with the ancient Latin phrase supposedly used by gladiators honouring their Emperor: "Morituri vos salutamus" ("We who are about to die salute you"). He also defied an order to abandon his staff, and organised their escape from Rabaul.