REED, F/L John Thomas (C1646) - Mention in Despatches - Award effective 1 June 1943 as per London Gazette dated 2 June 1943 and AFRO 1247/43 dated 2 July 1943. Born 17 June 1918 in Algonquin, Ontario; home in Ottawa (bank clerk). Enlisted and commissioned, 29 January 1940 in General List; trained at Toronto Flying Club; to Station Trenton, 8 May 1940; to Camp Borden, 18 July 1940 for training at No.1 SFTS; promoted to Flying Officer, 5 October 1940 (Flight Lieutenant, 1 August 1942; Squadron Leader, 15 September 1944). To Trenton, 4 November 1940; instructed at No.3 SFTS, 7 January 1941 to 8 May 1942; to RAF overseas, 9 May 1942; served with No.422 Squadron, 23 November to 19 December 1942; with Marine Experimental Establishment, Helensburg, 24 February 1943 to 6 January 1944; with No.131 OTU, 6-18 January 1944; posted to No.512 Squadron, 19 January 1944 and flew with them on D Day; with No.437 Squadron, 14 September 1944 to 3 July 1945. Repatriated July 1945. To No.1 Instrument Flying School, 13 September 1945. To No.1 Air Command, 11 November 1945. To No.1 Flying Training School, 15 November 1945. As of 22 July 1945 he claimed 306 hours on Sunderlands, 634 hours on Dakotas, 201 hours on Catalina. See postwar awards data base for more on career. Awarded U.S. Bronze Star Medal, 10 August 1951, and Queen\'s Coronation Medal, 1953. REED, S/L John Thomas (C1646) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.437 Squadron - Award effective 8 June 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 1219/45 dated 27 July 1945. DHist file 181.009 D.4855 (RG.24 Vol.20657) has recommendation dated 10 April 1945 when he had flown 1,760 hours (220 in previous six months). Noted that he had \"participated in all airborne operations since and including D-Day.\" Squadron Leader Reed has displayed noteworthy skill, courage and resource in action against the enemy. In the airborne operations against Arnhem he led his flight with the greatest resolution in the face of extremely heavy opposition. Later, Squadron Leader Reed flew with much distinction in the operations in support of the Rhine crossing. His work won much praise. REED, S/L John Thomas (C1646) - Commended for Valuable Services in the Air - No.437 Squadron - Award effective 3 April 1945 as per London Gazette of that date. This does not appear to have been published in RCAF Routine Orders. Public Record Officer Air 2/9061, courtesy Steve Brew, has citation drafted when he had flown 1,750 hours, 224 in previous six months. This officer is a Flight Commander in No.437 Squadron which he joined on its formation. He was one of the first to land on the beachhead after the invasion of Normandy and since then has completed 35 operational and transport trips to the Continent in all types of weather. He has been instrumental in evacuating a considerable number of wounded personnel. The high standard of flying shown by the pilots of his Flight has been due to Squadron Leader Reed?s constant endeavour to improve their flying capabilities. His keenness, ability and outstanding devotion to duty have set a magnificent example to all. NOTE: RCAF General and Routine Orders dated 28 November 1941 carried the following as Order 1432 under the heading ?Sentence of a General Court-Martial: 1. Flying Officer John Thomas Reed (C.1646), an officer of the Special Reserve , serving at No.3 Service Flying Training School, Calgary, Alberta, was tried by a general court-martial on the 30th day of July 1941, and was found guilty on a charge of low flying over a hangar and buildings of No.3 Service Flying Training School, contrary to station standing orders. 2. He was sentenced to forfeiture of seniority to 16th November 1940 and a reprimand. The findings and sentence, having been confirmed by His Excellency, the Governor General, were duly promulgated.