BODNOFF, FS Israel Joseph (R180936) - Distinguished Flying Medal - No.162 (BR) Squadron - Award effective 28 July 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1729/44 dated 11 August 1944. Born in Ottawa September 1922. Home in Ottawa; educated at Lisgar Collegiate and Ottawa High School of Commerce. Employed as a fur shipper. Enlisted in Ottawa 22 August 1942. At No.2 Manning Depot, Brandon, 28 September to3 December 1942. Trained at No. 2 WS, Calgary, 4 December 1942 to 26 June 1943 (promoted LAC on 11 January 1943); further trained at No.6 BGS, Mountain View, 27 June o 13 August 1943 (graduated 9 August 1943 when promoted Sergeant). To Eastern Air Command, 14 August 1943; to No.162 (BR) Squadron, 19 August 1943, then at Yarmouth, but moved at the end of August to Dartmouth; squadron to Iceland, 2 January 1944; promoted Flight Sergeant, 9 May 1944; commissioned 8 January 1945 (J51898). With No.162 Squadron to Sydney, 8 June 1945; promoted Flying Officer, 8 July 1945; to Station Sydney, 8 August 1945; to Rockcliffe, 1 September 1945; released 6 September 1945. Cited with F/O B.C. Denomy (DSO), F/Os Graham Campbell and Sidney E. Matheson (DFCs) and Flight Sergeant Sydney R. Cole (DFM). These officers and airmen were members of the crew of the aircraft captained by Flight Lieutenant Hornell, who successfully engaged a U-Boat in northern waters. In the engagement they displayed a high degree of courage, discipline and devotion to duty, co-operating splendidly with their captain in his determination to destroy the enemy submarine. Subsequently they suffered great hardships whilst adrift on the sea. During this long period each member of the crew assisted the others to the utmost extent, unmindful of his own distress. NOTE: Public Record Office Air 2/9158 has recommendation raised 1 July 1944 by the Officer Commanding, RAF Station Wick. It noted that Bodnoff had flown approximately 21 sorties (250 operational hours): This Non-Commissioned Officer was the 2nd Wireless Operator of Canso \"P\" of 162 Squadron on the 24th June 1944. During the run in to attack a U-Boat in the face of severe and accurate anti-aircraft fire, and at a time when the aircraft was being hit repeatedly, the starboard engine on fire and out of action, he manned the port blister gun maintaining accurate return fire throughout the action and displayed exceptional courage and devotion to duty. When the U-Boat had been sunk and the aircraft forced to ditch due to the starboard engine falling out, he displayed great fortitude during the subsequent 21 hours spent in the water and did all in his power to assist the others even though he was himself at times in great distress. When the High Speed Launch reached the scene he was then engaged in administering artificial respiration to the Captain of the aircraft. It is considered that this Non-Commissioned Officer showed great courage and devotion to duty in addition to being unsparing in his efforts to assist others in spite of his own distressed condition and is most strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal. To this the Air Officer Commanding, No.18 Group, added (2 July 1944): This Non-Commissioned Officer showed great determination and courage throughout the successful attack by P/162 on a U-Boat; manning the port blister gun he continued to bring accurate fire to bear on the enemy despite the fact that the aircraft was on fire and being repeatedly hit. His subsequent behaviour is also deserving of the highest praise. Strongly recommended for an immediate award. In his application for Operational Wings (dated 24 May 1945) he listed the following sorties: 13 February 1944 Iceland - anti-submarine patrol (12.25) 14 February 1944 Iceland - anti-submarine patrol (14.00) 11 March 1944 Iceland - anti-submarine patrol (11.20) 1 May 1944 Iceland - anti-submarine patrol (14.00) 3 May 1944 Iceland - army transport (9.20) 12 May 1944 Ireland - convoy escort (6.05) 21 May 1944 Ireland - army trasnport ( 14.00) 23 May 1944 Iceland - convoy escort (14.45) 2 June 1944 Iceland - ATR (8.15) 3 June 1944 Scotland - anti-submarine patrol (15.40) 5 June 1944 Scotland - anti-submarine patrol (14.00) 10 June 1944 Scotland - anti-submarine patrol 10.30) 12 June 1944 Scotland - ATR (8.50) 18 June 1944 Iceland - ATR (8.10) 20 June 1944 Scotland - anti-submarine patrol (12.45) 23 June 1944 Scotland - anti-submarine patrol (12.15) 24 June 1944 Scotland - anti-submarine patrol (12.00, sank U-boat) 26 September 1944 iceland - anti-submarine patrol (14.10) 10 October 1944 Iceland - anti-submarine patrol (12.35) 14 October 1944 Iceland - anti-submarine patrol (13.10) 18 October 1944 Iceland - anti-submarine patrol (13.15) 21 October 1944 Iceland - anti-submarine patrol (11.30) 26 October 1944 Iceland - anti-submarine patrol (11.05) 31 October 1944 Iceland - anti-submarine patrol (3.40) 4 November 1944 Iceland - anti-submarine patrol (12.50) 23 November 1944 Iceland - anti-submarine patrol (10.45) 26 November 1944 Iceland - anti-submarine patrol (9.50) 30 November 1944 Iceland - anti-submarine patrol (3.40) 4 December 1944 Iceland - anti-submarine patrol (8.40) 7 December 1944 Iceland - anti-submarine patrol (12.25) 15 December 1944 Iceland - anti-submarine sweep (8.15) 5 January 1945 Iceland - anti-submarine sweep (8.50) 14 January 1945 Iceland - anti-submarine sweep (13.25) 26 January 1945 Iceland - anti-submarine sweep ((13.10) 31 January 1945 Iceland - anti-submarine sweep (13.15) 4 February 1945 Iceland - anti-submarine sweep (11.10) 7 February 1945 Iceland - anti-submarine sweep (13.45) 9 February 1945 Iceland - anti-submarine sweep (13.05) 13 February 1945 Iceland - anti-submarine sweep (12.20) 17 February 1945 Iceland - convoy escort (13.15) 1 March 1945 Iceland - anti-submarine patrol (10.55) 3 March 1945 Iceland - convoy escort (13.00) 6 March 1945 Iceland - anti-submarine sweep (6.15) 7 March 1945 Iceland - anti-submarine patrol (10.40) 17 March 1945 Iceland - anti-submarine patrol (12.30) 20 March 1945 Iceland - ATR (16.30) Totals - 46 sorties and 526 hours 15 minutes.