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McArthur, James Henry Gordon "Butch"

Date of birth:
February 12th, 1913 (Tynemouth/Tyne and Wear, Great Britain)
Date of death:
May 1961 (Las Vegas/Nevada, United States)
Service number:
37925
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

promotions:
July 6th, 1936: Acting Pilot Officer on probation;
October 11th, 1936: Pilot Officer on probation;
?: Pilot Officer;
May 11th, 1938: Flying Officer;
May 11th, 1940: Flight Lieutenant;
September 1st, 1941: Temporary Squadron Leader;
July 1st, 1944: Temporary Wing Commander (seniority January 1st, 1944);
September 1st, 1944: Squadron Leader (war subs.).

Career:
?: Civil Pilot;
May 1936: RAF Short Service Commission;
July 18th, 1936: No. 9 Flying Training School, Thornaby;
January 14th, 1937: Station Flight, Aldergrove;
October 1st, 1938: Test Pilot, Experimental Section, Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough;
June 1940: Flight Commander No. 238 Squadron, Middle Wallop;
August 1st, 1940: Flight Commander 'B' Flight, No. 609 Squadron, Middle Wallop;
1948: Royal Canadian Air Force, Edmonton;
?: Winter Experimental Establishment;
1949: Air Racing;
?: RCAF.

Victories:
August 8th, 1940: Junkers Ju 87;
August 8th, 1940: Junkers Ju 87;
August 11th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 110;
august 12th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 110 (probably);
August 13th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 109;
August 15th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 110;
August 15th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 110;
August 25th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 110;
September 7th, 1940: Dornier Do 17;
September 15th, 1940: Dornier Do 17;
September 25th, 1940: Messerschmit Bf 110.

Own aircraft:
Supermarine Spitfire R6977;
Supermarine Spitfire R6769;
Supermarine Spitfire X4165;
Supermarine Spitfire R6979.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Flight Lieutenant
Awarded on:
October 22nd, 1940
Citation:
"This officer has led his flight and squadron with skill and determination. His brilliant leadership has been reflected in the high standard of morale in his flight. He has destroyed at least seven enemy aircraft."

LG 34976/6134.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Sources

  • Photo 1: Simon Cook
  • - The London Gazette of 21st July 1936, Issue 34307
    - The London Gazette of 15th December 1936, Issue 34350
    - The London Gazette of 31st May 1938, Issue 34515
    - The London Gazette of 11th June 1940, Issue 34870
    - The London Gazette of 22nd October 1940, Issue 34976
    - The London Gazette of 9th September 1941, Issue 35270
    - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette of 18th July 1944, Issue 36618, dated 21st July 1944
    - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 31st October 1944, Issue 36776, dated 3rd November 1944
    - Battle of Britain London Monument