Date of birth:

1915 (Radway/Alberta, Canada)

Nationality:

Canadian

William James "Rip" Klufas, one of the highest ranking Ukrainian-Canadians to serve with the RCAP, was born in 1915 at Radway. His parents were John Klufas and Mary Klufas (Lazowski), immigrants who arrived in Canada in 1910. Of six children born into the family, three sons became teachers and served in the Canadian armed forces during the Second World War. Rip obtained his permanent teaching certificate in 1936, and was teaching at Wayne school when he signed up with the RCAF in 1941. He joined RAF Bomber Command overseas as a navigator, and rose to the rank of Squadron Leader, and later Base Leader. William's brothers Harry and Peter served in the Canadian Army, the former with the Canadian Military Headquarters staff in London.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Flight Lieutenant

Unit:

No. 15 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

October 15th, 1943

Citation:
"This officer has flown on operations against many of the heavily defended targets in western and southern Germany. As squadron navigation officer, he has always displayed outstanding keenness and ability, setting a splendid example to the other navigators in his squadron."

LG 36211/4561 (15 October 1943).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Awarded with clasp for overseas service.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• - In Search of Greener Pastures: A History of Radway and Area, Volume Two, Radway: Radway and Area Historical Archives' Association, 1993
  - Melnycky, P., For King and Country: Alberta in the Second World War
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette of 12th October 1943, Issue 36211, dated 15th October 1943
  - Royal Canadian Air Force Association - "Per Ardua Ad Astra"