Wharfmaster Posted February 3, 2013 Share #1 Posted February 3, 2013 This is a Canadian Memorial Cross to an American Spitfire Pilot flying with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Since WW1, Canada has awarded silver Memorial Crosses to the next of kin of men and women that have lost their lives during wartime. More commonly known as the Mother's Cross, it is awarded to both mothers and widows. Our hero "Vic" was born in Ohio and was living in Indiana when he decided to become a fighter pilot. We assume he trained in Canada and then joined 402 RCAF Squadron as a Flight Sgt. (Pilot) in the UK. On 24 August 1942, Vic's Squadron attacked a group of German FW190s. Then, they were jumped by a larger group of FWs. Vic's Spitfire was shot down. His remains were recovered and reside in the Valery-en-Caux Franco-British Cemetery (near Dieppe), far from his Indiana home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted February 3, 2013 Author Share #2 Posted February 3, 2013 Obverse, toned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted February 3, 2013 Share #3 Posted February 3, 2013 Thanks for sharing this brave pilots story. These can't be very common at all. What a great medal! JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted February 3, 2013 Share #4 Posted February 3, 2013 I too have a complete medal grouping, (including his Mother's Cross) to an American in the RCAF. It is one of my favorite groupings. Congratulations! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted February 3, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted February 3, 2013 Thanks for sharing this brave pilots story. These can't be very common at all. What a great medal! JD Thanks very much. Memorial Crosses to fighter pilots are uncommon. We sometimes forget that a WW2 pilot's flying career was most often short. We remember them all. Regards, W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted February 3, 2013 Author Share #6 Posted February 3, 2013 I too have a complete medal grouping, (including his Mother's Cross) to an American in the RCAF. It is one of my favorite groupings. Congratulations! Thanks JS, free free to post your group too. Regards, W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted February 3, 2013 Share #7 Posted February 3, 2013 Thank you!! http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/114135-american-volunteerroyal-canadian-air-force/page__hl__+rcaf%20+medals#entry851126 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAF_Collection Posted February 3, 2013 Share #8 Posted February 3, 2013 Thank you Wharfmaster(and JS) for sharing these. Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted February 3, 2013 Share #9 Posted February 3, 2013 A wonderful piece of Hoosier history! Do you know much more on him? Hometown here in Indiana, etc.? Thank you for posting this and keeping his memory alive! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted February 3, 2013 Author Share #10 Posted February 3, 2013 A wonderful piece of Hoosier history! Do you know much more on him? Hometown here in Indiana, etc.? Thank you for posting this and keeping his memory alive! Thanks very much BEAST. He was from Richmond. He was born not far away in Dayton. Best regards, W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted February 3, 2013 Share #11 Posted February 3, 2013 Beautiful medal.Thanks for posting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted February 3, 2013 Author Share #12 Posted February 3, 2013 Beautiful medal.Thanks for posting Thanks doyer, most appreciated. Best regards, W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted December 30, 2015 Author Share #13 Posted December 30, 2015 Can someone move this to " Americans In Foreign Service " ? Thanks. W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swmdo Posted January 30, 2016 Share #14 Posted January 30, 2016 Cool item Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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