Howe, Norman Charles Russell

Date of birth:: April 14th, 1920 (Toronto/Ontario, Canada)
Date of death:: December 8th, 2018 (Niagara-on-the-Lake/Ontario, Canada)
Nationality:: Canadian

Biography

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Flying Officer
Unit:: No. 175 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: September 28th, 1944

Recommendation (dated 11 February 1944 when he had flown 81 sorties (79 operational hours).
"This officer has been with the squadron since March 1942 during which time he has flown 79 hours operationally. He took part in the Dieppe Raid when he led his section in low level attacks on gun positions. He is now a Deputy Flight Commander and has led his flight on a number of occasions. He has displayed great keenness and enthusiasm and throughout has set a magnificent example.
During a dive-bombing attack on the Cherbourg area he was very badly shot up by flak and in spite of severe damage he brought his aircraft safely home.
He has carried out 15 offensive patrols, 15 convoy patrols, 32 dive-bombing attacks, two night shipping patrols, two Rhubarbs, three anti-shipping patrols, twelve escort and fighter sweeps."

This document was endorsed by his squadron Commanding Officer on 11 February 1944, "I strongly recommend the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to this officer". The same day the Group Captain commanding the wing wrote, "This officer never misses a chance of taking part. He has good record of sustained effort". It is clear from a half-legible notation by an Air-Vice Marshal (dated 19 February 1944) that his 32 dive-bombing attacks were particularly worthy of notice.