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James Goodson.


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There are a few problems in the article relating to the awards Goodson received. He never was awarded the British Distinguished Flying Cross. As an RCAF sergeant pilot, he would have received a Distinguished Flying Medal for any actions in the RCAF/RAF. There is no record of a British DFC for Goodson after he transferred to the US 4th Fighter Group.

 

That never stood in the way of a good story, however. Goodson wore a British DFC in his bar-mounted medal group long after the war (into the 1990s). However, it was a 1941-dated DFC and would not have been awarded to then-Sergeant Pilot Goodson. Note that he does not wear the British DFC ribbon (which has distinctive diagonal stripes) on his USAAF uniform above.

 

Goodson was a colorful character and the self-awarded DFC in no way detracts from a outstanding career as a fighter pilot. Even after the Air Force decided not to count ground kills for fighter pilots, Goodson was credited with 15 aerial victories. Considering that he was shot down and captured in June 1944, that's a remarkable record.

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There are a few problems in the article relating to the awards Goodson received. He never was awarded the British Distinguished Flying Cross. As an RCAF sergeant pilot, he would have received a Distinguished Flying Medal for any actions in the RCAF/RAF. There is no record of a British DFC for Goodson after he transferred to the US 4th Fighter Group.

 

That never stood in the way of a good story, however. Goodson wore a British DFC in his bar-mounted medal group long after the war (into the 1990s). However, it was a 1941-dated DFC and would not have been awarded to then-Sergeant Pilot Goodson. Note that he does not wear the British DFC ribbon (which has distinctive diagonal stripes) on his USAAF uniform above.

 

Goodson was a colorful character and the self-awarded DFC in no way detracts from a outstanding career as a fighter pilot. Even after the Air Force decided not to count ground kills for fighter pilots, Goodson was credited with 15 aerial victories. Considering that he was shot down and captured in June 1944, that's a remarkable record.

Thanks for the clarification JB.

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