WILLIAMS, F/L David John (J6991)
![[DFC Ribbon]](r_dfc.gif)
Distinguished Flying Cross - Mention in Despatches - No.408 Squadron - Award effective 5 September 1942 as per London Gazette dated 26 September 1942 and AFRO 1653/42 dated 16 October 1942. Born in Vancouver, 6 January 1919; home there; enlisted there 24 October 1940. Trained at No.2 ITS (graduated 30 March 1941), No.8 EFTS (graduated 15 May 1941), and No.3 SFTS (graduated 20 August 1941). Commissioned on graduation; Flying Officer and Flight Lieutenant, 20 August 1942; Squadron Leader, 5 August 1943; Wing Commander, 26 July 1944. Reverted to Squadron Leader, 1 October 1946; Wing Commander, 1 January 1950; Group Captain, 1 July 1956. Posted overseas immediately after earning wings; further trained at No.140 OTU, Cottsmore (October 1941 to January 1942). With No.408 Squadron, February to October 1943; the incident that brought his DFC was 27/28 August 1943 (one Ju.88 destroyed, on Hampden "K", P1166, with FS NC Turnour, Sergeant LS Leech and Sergeant MP Hall). At RCAF Overseas Headquarters, November 1942 to April 1943. With No.410 Squadron, 31 May to July 1943 (organizing intruder flight); to No.54 OTU, July and August 1943. With No.406 Squadron, 25 August 1943 to 18 November 1944. With No.5 OTU, Abbotsford, February 1945 to June 1946. On staff of Materiel Command Headquarters, July 1946 to March 1947. Attended Empire Test Pilot School. March to December 1947; at Winter Experimental Establishment, Watson Lake, December 1947 to September 1949. To RCAF Staff College, Toronto, September 1949 to June 1950. On strength of Canadian Joint Staff,
Washington, June 1950 to June 1952 (attached to Strategic Air Command units); at AFHQ/VCAS, June 1952 to January 1956; No.1 (F) OTU, Chatham, January to May 1956; No.1 (F) Wing - Marville France, August 1956 to July 1959; CO of Station Trenton, August 1956 to July 1963; with Northern NORAD Region Headquarters, North Bay, July 1963 to August 1965. Seattle Sector, NORAD, August 1965 to 1968. Aerial victories as follows: 27/28 September 1942, one Ju.88 destroyed; 19/20 March 1944, one He.177 destroyed off Guernsey (F/O C.J. Kirkpatrick, observer); 29/30 April 1944, two Do.217s destroyed; 21 July 1944, one Do.217 destroyed alone and one Do.217 destroyed (shared). Also claimed two locomotives, two vehicles and five other targets. Photo PL-28197 shows him beside a Beaufighter nose; PL-29535 with Kirkpatrick beside their Mosquito, "Blackie and Kirk". DFC presented at Buckingham Palace, 7 February 1943.
This officer has participated in bombing attacks against many of the enemy's important heavily defended targets. One night in August 1942 he was captain of an aircraft detailed to attack Kassel. On the outward flight his aircraft was intercepted by a Junkers 88. By skilful tactics Flight Lieutenant Williams enabled his gunners to deliver effective bursts at the attacking aircraft, setting one of its engines on fire. It then dived steeply towards the ground where on impact it exploded. Although his own aircraft had sustained damage, Flight Lieutenant Williams pressed on to his target and bombed it. On the return journey a Messerschmitt 109 was encountered and driven off by a well directed burst of fire. Throughout, this officer has displayed a great determination to complete his allotted task. He has at all times won the confidence of all with whom he has flown.
WILLIAMS, S/L David John, DFC (J6991)
![[DSO Ribbon]](r_dso.gif)
Distinguished Service Order - No.406 Squadron - Award effective 26 September 1944 as per London Gazette of 26 September and AFRO 2373/44 dated 3 November 1944. Award presented 14 May 1945.
This officer has completed a large number of sorties, including a number during which he has successfully attacked a variety of targets on the ground. In the air he has destroyed five enemy aircraft at night. He is a brave and resourceful pilot whose fine fighting qualities were well illustrated one night in July 1944, when he destroyed two enemy aircraft in one sortie. In the fighting his own aircraft sustained damage but he flew it safely to base in the face of extremely adverse weather. This officer is a most efficient and inspiring flight commander.