FLIGHT LIEUTENANT HARRY DEANE MACDONALD, D.F.C. and Bar, of Toronto, Ontario, served with No. 401 Squadron. Before being killed in action on 30 November 1943, he destroyed 71/2 enemy aircraft, one probable, and damaged 5 others. F/L MacDonald was an excellent flight commander and a skilful pilot which was demonstrated on 11 February 1943. He was attacking a locomotive and in taking evasive action, he hit a tree. The throttle of his aircraft jammed open and he had to return to base under full power. Back over the field, he cut his engine and carried out a deadstick landing.
SQUADRON LEADER DONALD AIKINS MACFADYEN, D.S.O., D.F.C. and Bar, of Montreal, while serving with Nos. 418 and 406 Squadron destroyed 9 enemy aircraft, 5 V-1's, probably destroyed 2 aircraft and damaged 17 others while flying Mosquitos on intruder missions. S/L MacFadyen with his observer, F/O J. Wright, participated in many sorties against the enemy and displayed great skill and courage. During a patrol over Czechoslovakia in March 1945, an enemy landing field was sighted and one enemy aircraft was destroyed on the ground and four others damaged.
WING COMMANDER JOHN MACKAY, D.F.C. and Bar, C.D., of Winnipeg, Manitoba, ran up an im- pressive score of 11 1/5 enemy aircraft destroyed, 2 1/2damaged in aerial combatpius30thersdamaged on thegroundwhiieservingwith No. 401 Squadron. Hewasawarded the D.F.C. inApriil945,forattacks on enemytransportintheFalaiseGapandArnbeimbattles,ofteninthefaceof beavyanti-aireraftfire,and for destroying three enemy aircraft in one sortie on 1 January 1945. He led his section in the attack against enemy aircraft which were circling his squadron's aerodrome. W/C McKay destroyed one of the attackers, and after expending the remainder of his ammunition on a second aircraft pursued it so closely that he forced the pilot to crash. A few minutes later he repeated his brilliant feat and forced another machine to crash. After the war W/C MacKay remained in the RCAF and served as an exchange pilot with the USAF (51 st FIW-39th FIS) in Korea. Then a Squadron Leader, he was awarded the United States Air Medal. The citation of which reads, in part: "S/L MacKay distinguished himself by meritorious achievement by participating in aerial flight of F-86 aircraft, 39th Fighter Interception Squadron, Sth Air Force, from 1 April 53 to 9 May 53. During that period 5/L MacKay demonstrated outstanding professional ability dur- ing sustained air combat operations over Korea. Despite adverse weather, hazardous terrain and numerically superior enemy fighter aircraft, S/L MacKay accomplished numerous missions which con- tributed substantially to the United Nations operations."
SQUADRON LEADER ANDREW ROBERT "ANDY" MACKENZIE, D.F.C., C.D., of Montreal, P.Q., participated in numerous sorties and fighter-sweeps over Northern France while serving with Nos. 421, 403,133 and 135 Squadrons. He was a skilful and resolute fighter whose determination to destroy the enemy was always present. S/L MacKenzie accounted for the destruction of 8 1/2 enemy aircraft and damaged one other. S/L MacKenzie was accidentally shot down by his own wing man in Korea while he was serving as an ex-change officer with the USAF. S/L MacKenzie was held prisoner of the Chinese Communists from 5 December 1952 until released two years later on 5 December 1954.
FLIGHT LIEUTENANT IAN ROY MACLENNAN, D.F.M., of Regina, Sask., served with Nos. 610,401,435 and 443 Squadrons. One day in October 1942, while a Flight Sergeant, he destroyed two of a force of thirty Ju.88s which attempted to attack Malta. The next day he destroyed an ME.109. Before being shot down on 7 June 1944 and spending the remainder of the war in a prison camp, Maclennan destroyed 7 enemy aircraft and damaged 6 others.
SQUADRON LEADER CHARLES McLAUGHLIN MAGWOOD, D. F.C., of Toronto, Ont., destroyed 5 enemy aircraft and damaged 31 /2 others while serving with Nos. 403 and 421 Squadrons. In April 1943, S/L Magwood was engaged in escorting a bomber force during an operational sortie. Much fighter opposition was encountered and in the ensuing combat, he shot down two enemy aircraft. The previous day he engaged a FW 190 from close range and his accurate fire caused the enemy to disintegrate in the air.
SQUADRON LEADER JOHN FREDERICK MCELROV, D.F.C. and Bar, C.D., of Port Arthur, Ont., served with Nos. 54, 249, 421 and 416 Squadrons. The citation for his D.F.C. reads, in part: "During recent air fighting over Malta this officer showed great courage and outstanding determination. On 12 October 1942, during an interception he destroyed an Me.109 and pursued a Ju.88. Six enemy fighters were in close proximity and McEiroy turned towards them and destroyed one before they broke off the fight. Three days later his section attacked a formation of Ju.88s and McEiroy probably destroyed one of them. On another occasion when one of his buddies was forced to bail out over the sea, McEiroy guided a rescue launch to the downed pilot, in spite of the presence of enemy fighters. His final tally was 13 1/2 enemy aircraft destroyed, 2 1/2 probables, and 9 others damaged.
FLYING OFFICER WILLIAM LIDSTONE MCKNIGHT, D.F.C. and Bar, of Edmonton, Alta., enlisted as a PPO in the RAF prior the the outbreak of the war. In addition to serving with the AASF in France in 1940, he flew during the Battle of Britain. Before being killed in action on 12 January 41, while serving with No. 242 Squadron, he destroyed 161/2 enemy aircraft and damaged one other. F/0 McKnight carried out one of the first 11 rhubarb low-level intruder raids over France. One day in May 1940, he destroyed an Me.109 and on the following day, whilst on patrol with his squadron, he shot down three more enemy aircraft. The destruction of the last one of the three occasioned a long chase over enemy territory. On his return flight he used his remaining ammunition and caused many casualties, in a low-flying attack on a railway line along which the enemy was bringing up heavy guns.
SQUADRON LEADER HENRY WALLACE "WALLY" McLEOD, D.S.0., D.F.C. and Bar, of Regina, Sask., served with Nos. 132, 485, 602, 411, 603, 435 and 433 Squadrons. He was another Canadian pilot who won special distinction in the Battle of Malta shooting down 13 of his eventual total of 1 9 enemy aircraft destroyed, one probably destroyed, and 91/4damaged. S/L McLeod was lost in combat with enemy aircraft over the Rees area of Germany on 27 September 1944. His body was found later in the wreckage of his aircraft nine miles north of Wesel and was laid to rest in the cemetery at Rheinberg eleven miles north-west of Dulaburg. When he went missing W/C "Johnny" Johnson, the top RAF fighter pilot wrote of S/L McLoed: "(He)" is an excellent leader and, in my opinion, is one of the outstanding fighter pilots produced in this war....", and again: "a gallant and courageous fighter pilot and a first class leader." The citation for his D.F.C. reads, in part: "in Septernber 1942 this officer participated in an engagement against at least twenty Me.109s. Despite the odds McLeod so skilfully led his section during the combat that the enemy forcewas completely broken up." On anotheroccasion, one day in October 1942, McLeod so skilifully led his section during the combat that the enemy force was completely broken up." On another occasion, one day in October 1942, MeLeod took part in an attack on a formation of six Ju.88's and shot two of them down. Although his aircraft was damaged in the combat, he led his section in an at- tack on another formation of nine enemy bombers which were successfully driven off before they reached their target. S/L McLeod was the top RCAF ace as he did not spend any time in the RAF.
GROUP CAPTAIN ERNEST ARCHIBALD MCNAB, O.B.E., D.F.C., C.D., of Rosthern, Sask., was a member of the famous RCAF Siskin acrobatic team of the early 1930's. On 15 August 1940, during the Battle of Britain,agroup of fifteen Me.110's made a low level attack on Croydon. This marked the first time that bombs were dropped in the London area and all the attacking aircraft were shot down. McNab, temporarily attached to an RAF Squadron (No. 111) for operational experience, drew first blood for the RCAF by destroying a Dornier bomber that same day. G/C McNab received the War Cross 1939 from the Czechoslovakian government for his war service. He ended up with a score of 5 1/2 enemy aircraft destroyed, 1 probable, and 3 1/2 others damaged.
GROUP CAPTAIN ROBERT WENDELL "Buck" MCNAIR, D.5.0., D.F.C. and Two Bars, C.D., was born in Springfield, N.S. While serving with Nos. 411, 249 (Malta), 403, 416 and 421 Squadrons, McNair destroyed 16 enemy aircraft, probably destroyed 2 others, and damaged 13 more. He was a skilful and courageous pilot who invariably pressed home his attacks with the greatest determination irrespective of the odds. After the war, McNair remained in the RCAF and was appointed Air Advisor, Canadian Military Mission, Tokyo, Japan, from July, 1951 to September 1953. In addition to the above mentioned decorations, G/C McNair was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour and awarded the Croix de Guerre with Pairne in 1947. In 1954 he won the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct for his actions on 30 Decernber 53. On that date he was a crew-rnember of a North Star which crash-landed at Vancouver International Airport. He personally conducted the evacuation of all passengers from the wreckage, and although soaked in gasoline he returned to the aircraft to search for passengers who might have been left behind. He did not leave the wreckage until all personnel were accounted for, although he knew that fire might break out at any moment.
FLIGHT LIETUENANT H.T. MITCHELL, D.F.C., of Port Hope, Ontario, enlisted in the RAF in 1938. On completion of pilot training was posted to No. 87 Squadron. F/L Mitchell was a courageous and gallant fighter pilot who took on all corners. he had a score of 6 1/2 enemy aircraft destroyed and damaged one other.
WING COMMANDER JOHN DAVIDSON MITCHNER, D.F.C. and Bar, C.D., of Saskatoon, Sask., served with Nos. 263, 247, 116, 402, 421 and 416 Squadrons. He completed a large number of sorties including several very successful attacks on shipping. W/C Mitchner was a most determined and able leader whose confidence in action proved inspiring in combat as he destroyed 10 1/2 enemy aircraft, 1 5/6 probably destroyed, and damaged 3 others. In addition, W/C Mitchner led two armed reconnaissance patrols that resulted in the destruction of 45 motor transports, while more than 100 were damaged.
FLIGHT LIEUTENANT DONALD ROBERT MORRISON, D.F.C., D.F.M., of Toronto, Ont., flew with No. 401 Squadron. In May 1942, the port elevator of his aircraft was shot off by cannon fire from an enemy plane during an engagement near LeHavre, France. F/L Marrison successfully brought his machine back and carried out a difficult landing. On another occasion he demonstrated his gallantry when, only a few minutes after being picked up by a rescue launch in the North Sea, after being compelled to bail out of his damaged aircraft, he plunged overboard and rescued a naval rating from drowning. F/L Morrison's machine was badly shot up in an aerial combat on 8 November 1942. He was badly wounded in the leg but managed to abandon the disabled plane. Morrison was captured by the Germans and had his leg amputated while a P.O.W. Before being shot down and taken prisoner, he had a score of 5 1/3 enemy aircraft destroyed, 41/2 probables, and 5 others damaged.
FLIGHT LIEUTENANT GUY ELWOOD MOTT, D.F.C., of Oil Springs, Alberta, displayed the highest standard of devotion to duty in air operations while flying with No. 441 Squadron. AS a result of his brillant work and relentless attacks, F/L Mott accounted for the destruction of 5 1/2 enerny aircraft. On 23 August 1944, Mott was bit by flak and forced to bail out behind enerny lines. He was picked up by the French Resistance and hidden until liberated by U.S. troops.
FLIGHT LIEUTENANT FREDERICK THOMAS MURRAY, D.F.C., of Windsor, Ontario, served with Nos. 412 and 401 Squadrons. He not only destroyed 5 enemy aircraft, probably destroyed one other, and damaged 21/2others, but carried out a number of successful strafing attacks against locomotives and other targets on the ground in spite of heavy anti-aircraft fire. F/L Murray was shot down by ground-fire on 22 February 1945 and spent the last few months of the war as a guest of the Nazis.
FLIGHT LIEUTENANT JOHN WILLIAM NEIL,D.F.C., of Nanaimo, B.C., served with Nos. 124, 54, 274 and 421 Squadrons. F/L Neil completed many and varied sorties during which he displayed commendable skill, courage and determination. For example, on a bombing sortie on 5 november 1942 he was forced to bail out north of Gazel Station when glycol fumes filled the cockpit of his aircraft, choking and blinding him. The machine plunged from 18,000 to 2,000 feet before he recovered senses, and abandoned the plane at 300 feet. On 23 August 1944 his aircraft was hit by flak and he was wounded. F/L Neil parachuted to safety over enemy territory and was taken prisoner. His final score was 5 enemy aircraft destroyed and one probable.
FLYING OFFICER WILLIAM HENRY NELSON, D.F.C., of Montreal, P.C., enlisted in the RAF as a Provisional Pilot Officer (P/P/0) in 1937. On completion of pilot training was posted to No. 10 Squadron and flew Whitley V bombers. F/O Nelson transferred to Fighter Command and served with No. 74 Squadron. He was killed on 1 November 1940 during an interception patrol over the Dover area. His final tally of enemy aircraft was 5 destroyed and damage to two others.
FLYING OFFICER DAVID EDWARD NESS, D.F.C., of Westmount, P.Q., while serving with No. 56 Squadron destroyed 5 1/2 enemy aircraft. In addition to his successes in aerial combat, F/O Ness succeeded in destroying and damaging several trains in the face of intense opposing ground fire.
FLIGHT LIEUTENANT DANIEL EDWARD NOONAN, D.F.C., of Kingston, Ontario, served with No. 416 Squadron. He was employed on active operations against the enemy for a long period and always showed great keenness to engage the enemy. In addition to accounting for 5 enemy aircraft, he achieved outstanding success against ground targets.
GROUP CAPTAIN GEOFFREY WILSON NORTHCOTT, D.S.O., D.F.C. and Bar, of Rapid City, Man., throughout his tours exhibited great gallantry and outstanding qualities of leadership. At different times he commanded Nos. 401, 603, 229 and 402 Squadrons, during which time Northcott destroyed 9 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, and damaged 4 others. The high morale of his pilots was due to his inspired leadership and the fearlessness he displayed in pressing home repeated attacks on enemy shipping in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire.