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Goodman, Jack Richard "Benny"

    Date of birth:
    January 10th, 1921 (Northampton/Northamptonshire, Great Britain)
    Date of death:
    August 13th, 2007
    Service number:
    126540
    Nationality:
    British (1801-present, Kingdom)

    Biography

    Benny Goodman enlisted in the RAFVR at the age of 18 and was drafted in 1940. After being employed initially as groundgunner, he took up basic flight training in the course of 1941.
    He was posted to 627 "Dam Buster" Squadron flying 30 missions including the attack on the Tirpitz, October 29th, 1944; the bombing of the Arnsberg Viaduct with a 22.000 lbs Grand Slam and the attack on the Eagle’s Nest in Berchtesgaden, May 25th, 1945.

    Promotions:
    May 6th, 1942: Pilot Officer (on probation/emergency)
    November 6th, 1942: Flying Officer (on probation/war sub)
    May 6th, 1944: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)
    September 1st, 1945: Flying Officer (permanent)
    July 1st, 1946: Flight Lieutenant (permanent)

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Flying Officer
    Awarded on:
    April 21st, 1944
    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Flight Lieutenant
    Unit:
    No. 627 Squadron, Royal Air Force (No. 627 Squadron, Royal Air Force)
    Awarded on:
    October 13th, 1944
    Citation:
    "Since the award of the D.F.C., Fit. Lt. Goodman has continued to operate In a highly skilled and courageous manner. During many of his sorties he has met with heavy opposition but despite this he has completed his task."

    Second DFC awarded as a bar for on the ribbon of the first DFC.
    Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Squadron Leader
    Awarded on:
    June 14th, 1945
    Air Force Cross (AFC)

    Sources

    • - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36480 published on the 18 April 1944
      - Fouth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36745 published on the 10 October 1944
      - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 37119 published on the 8 June 1945
      - The Telegraph - Obituaries
      - Flight Global - Archive

    Photo