McELROY, P/O John Frederick (J7230) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.249 Squadron - Award effective 19 October 1942 as per London Gazette dated 3 November 1942 and AFRO 1830/42 dated 13 November 1942. Born in Port Arthur, Ontario, 3 November 1920. Educated at Prince of Wales School, Vancouver (1929-1933), Point Grey Junior High School, Vancouver (1934-1935), North Battleford High School (1936-1937) and Kamloops Collegiate (1938-1940). Formerly in North Battleford Light Infantry and Rocky Mountain Rangers. His frequent moves were due to his father’s employment with the CNR. Enlisted in Vancouver, 6 November 1940. To No.1 Manning Depot, Toronto, 10 November 1940. To Debert, 17 December 1940. To No.16 Explosives Depot, 16 March 1941. To No.3 ITS, Victoriaville, 24 March 1941. To No.4 EFTS, Windsor Mills, 5 May 1941. To No.9 SFTS, Summerside, 22 June 1941; graduated and commissioned 1 September 1941. To “Y” Depot, 3 September 1941. Disembarked in Britain, 3 November 1941. To No.60 OTU, 15 November 1941 (Defiant, 120 hours). To No.54 Squadron, 24 March 1942 (Hurricane, 60 hours). To Station Castletown, 24 May 1942. To No.249 Squadron, Malta, 6 June 1942 (Spitfires, 110 hours). Promoted Flying Officer, 1 September 1942. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 17 October 1942. Reverted to Flying Officer, 18 November 1942. To United Kingdom, 19 November 1942. To No.57 OTU, 5 December 1942 (140 hours). Took part in Exercise SPARTAN. To No.56 OTU, 21 July 1943 (50 hours). Embarked for Canada, 18 October 1943, arriving 24 October 1943. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 5 December 1942. Embarked from Canada, 12 December 1943; arrived in United Kingdom, 21 December 1943. To No.421 Squadron, 3 January 1944 (120 hours). Attached to No.16 Armament Practice Camp, 2-8 March 1944. Promoted Squadron Leader, 30 June 1944. To No.416 Squadron, 30 June 1944, serving to 31 October 1944 (80 hours). Repatriated 13 December 1944. To Western Air Command, 25 December 1944, To Patricia Bay, 7 February 1945. To Sea Island, 2 March 1945. To Patricia Bay, 27 April 1945. To Western Air Command Headquarters, 11 May 1945. Retired 24 September 1945. Enrolled in a civilian flying school to obtain Transport Pilots Certificate and Instructors Certificate. Rejoined with No.442 (Auxiliary) Squadron, 26 April 1947 (120176). Resigned 8 February 1948. Ran a U-Drive company and then employed by Johns Manville as a security officer. Joined Regular Force, Montreal, 2 April 1951 as Pilot in rank of Flying Officer.. To Flying Instructor School, Trenton, 6 April 1951. To Centralia, 1 July 1951. To Trenton, 16 December 1951. To No.2 Advanced Flying School, Macdonald, 26 January 1952. To No.2 Advanced Flying School, Portage la Prairie, 15 November 1952. To Station Macdonald, 13 April 1955. To No.1 (Fighter) OTU, Chatham, 7 June 1955. To No.2 (Fighter) Wing, Grostenquin, 8 October 1955. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 1 January 1956. To No.6 TACC (whatever that is), Metz, 14 April 1958 as a Contoller. To Station Sydney, 9 September 1959. To No.129 AEFF, Trenton, 16 July 1963. To Station Trenton, 12 August 1963. Retired 9 November 1964. Became a real estate agent. Died in Victoria, 24 October 1994. DFC and Bar presented 29 May 1947. RCAF photo PL-15919 (ex UK-4020 dated 21 May 1943) shows F/L J.F. McElroy, DFC after investiture with Private Bea Belyea (CWAC) and F/O H. Hoar “of New Brunswick.” For additional details see H.A. Halliday, The Tumbling Sky. // During recent fighting over Malta this officer displayed great courage and outstanding determination to destroy the enemy. On October 12th, 1942, during an interception, he destroyed a Messerschmitt 109 and then pursued a Junkers 88. Six enemy fighters were in close proximity and Flying Officer McElroy turned towards them and destroyed one before they broke off the fight. Three days later his section attacked a formation of Junkers 88s and Flying Officer McElroy probably destroyed one of them. On another occasion when one of his comrades was shot down in the sea, Flying Officer McElroy guided a rescue launch to the spot, in spite of the presence of enemy fighters. This officer who has completed many reconnaissances and destroyed five enemy aircraft has displayed inspiring leadership. // McELROY, F/L John Frederick, DFC (J7230) - Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross - No.421 Squadron - Award effective 4 August 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 2052/44 dated 22 September 1944. // This officer continues to display the finest qualities of courage and determination in air operations. In June 1944 he flew the leading aircraft of a formation which engaged a force of more than thirty enemy fighters, nine of which were shot down. Although his aircraft sustained severe damage, Flight Lieutenant McElroy made a safe landing at an airfield. In this engagement he displayed leadership of a high order. // Notes: Application for Operational Wing dated 26 January 1944 stated he had flown 140 sorties (105 operational hours) with Nos.54 and 249 Squadrons, 25 March to 17 November 1942, // Slightly injured (facial scratches and shock), 16 June 1944, Spitfire IXB, serial MK472, leading 12 aircraft each from Nos.416 and 403 Squadrons, airborne 1856 hours. He was leading his squadron, Red 1 position, when Me.109s encountered at 15,000 feet over northeast outskirts of Caen at 1945 and were engaged. At about 2005 hours over Argentan at 14.000 feet his aircraft was hit by a cannon shell that blew off his port aileron. Aircraft stalled at 200 miles per hour. He managed to crash land at B.2 with control column jammed. // Application for Operational Wing and Bar drafted 19 December 1944. Claimed (second tour only), 233 sorties, 200 operational hours, 1 January to 29 October 1944. // Although his retirement from the RCAF Auxiliary (No.442 Squadron) was effective 8 February 1948, he had clearly shown no interest in the unit for some time and had not kept authorities informed of his intentions. On 26 February 1948, W/C D.C.S. MacDonald (Station Vancouver) wrote, “F/L McElroy has failed to meet the attendance requirements of 442 Aux (F) Squadron and has not contributed to the organization and support of Squadron activities, as expected of a Flight Lieutenant in the position of Flight Commander. Further to the above, this officer has ignored correspondence in which he was requested to account for his non-attendance and/or apply for resignation, the event that he found he was unable to continue his duties with the Squadron.” There is nothing in his service documents, then or later, that he was contemplating joining the Israeli Air Force. // A summary of his flying to 31 December 1954 listed the following types - Fleet (65 hours 25 minutes), Harvard (787.35), Texan (217.10), Miles Master (25.50), Defiant (61.45), Hurricane (66.00), Spitfire (501.10), Anson (1.05), Expeditor (9.30), light planes (260.15), Mustang (4.45) and Silver Star (32110). // Selected Assessments: 3 December 1942, No.249 Squadron, when he had flown 471 hours 40 minutes (89.35 on pasr six months). “McElroy is a sound officer, a good pilot and an able and conscientious Flight Commander.” (W/C W.A.J. Satchell and G/C J.D. Miller). “A capable Fighter Flight Commander.” (A/V/M K.R. Park). // 30 June 1943, report through RCAF Liaison Officer, Fighter Command, on completion of six months instructional duties. “Posted to No.57 OTU as Flying Instructor, 5 December 1942. This officer has good operational record, won DFC in Malta, Rather temperamental and not entirely suited as a Flight Commander at OTU. Recommended as Flight Commander in a Canadian squadron.” // Training: Interviewed 26 June 1940 by an officer named Jones. “A fine clean cut lad, reacts quickly. Intelligent. Fine appearance and bearing. Three years in militia. Very keen to serve and well above average. Typical fighter pilot.” // Attended No.3 ITS, 24 March to 4 May 1941. Courses in Mathematics (78/100), Armament, practical and oral (82/100), Signals (100 /100), Hygiene and Sanitation (27/40), Drill (88/100) and Law and Discipline (60/60). Placed 31st in a class of 379. “Has had Army experiemce as an NCO. Is a very mature man, excellent personality and bearing and should do extremely well. Plenty of ‘go’ in him. Possible officer material.” // Attended No.4 EFTS, 10 May to 21 June 1941. Fleet Finch aircraft - 31 hours ten minutes dual, 34.05 solo; was 5.40 on instruments. Logged ten hours in Link. Considered above average - “Good progress throughout. Side slips and spins need checking. Should make good fighter pilot.” (W.S. Wrathall, Chief Flying Instructor). Ground courses in Airmanship (144/200), Airframes (90/100), Engines (52/100), Signals, practical (100/100), Theory of Flight (80/100 on supplemental), Air Navigation (104/200), Armament, oral (124/200). Rated 150/200 in Qualities as an Officer. Placed 22nd in a class of 29. “Pleasing personality, clean cut and smart appearance; good officer material. Did efficient work as class senior at this station. Showed initiative. Definite officer material. Conduct good. // Attended No.9 SFTS, 21 June to 1 September 1941. Harvard II aircraft - 37.30 day dual, 45.35 day solo, 3.00 night dual, 7.05 night solo. Logged 20 hours in Link. “Above average pilot. Navigation 76 percent. This pilot has no outstanding faults.” (S/L N.S. Anderson). Courses in Airmanship and Maintenance (141/200), Armament, written (55/100), Armament, practical (73/100), Navigation and Meteorology (154/200),Signals, written (73/100) and Signals, practical (49/50). Placed seventh in a class of 55. “Has progressed satisfactorily and has proven himself to have ability.”