HEIMPEL, F/L Earle Stanley (J19426) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.420 Squadron - Award effective 6 January 1945 as per London Gazette dated 16 January 1945 and AFRO 508/45 dated 23 March 1945. Born 10 January 1918, Guelph, Ontario. Formerly in the RCMP. Enlisted Halifax, 18 February 1942. To No.5 Manning Depot, 4 March 1942. To No.4 Repair Depot, 13 April1941. To No.5 ITS, 6 June 1942; graduated and promoted LAC, 1 August 1942 but bot posted to No.13 EFTS until 12 August 1942; may have graduated 6 November 1942 but not posted to No.5 SFTS until 21 November 1942; graduated and promoted Sergeant, 16 April 1943. To “Y” Depot, 30 April 1943; to RAF overseas, 26 May 1943. Commissioned 19 December 1943. Promoted Flying Officer, 19 June 1944; promoted Flight Lieutenant, 27 June 1944. Repatriated 22 November 1944; to No.3 Training Command, 5 January 1945; to No.14 SFTS, 6 January 1945; to Release Centre, 20 September 1945; retired 2 October 1945. RCAF photo PL-32850 (ex UK-14983 dated 18 September 1944) is captioned as follows: “Keen and alert, F/L Earl [sic] Heimple is typical of the pilots who captain the Snowy Owl Squadron Halifaxes of the Canadian Bomber Group. F/L Heimpel is a veteran of 27 trips and assistant deputy flight commander in his squadron. His father is professor L.G. Heimpel of MacDonald College at St. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec.” RCAF photo PL-33075 (ex UK-15344 dated 26 September 1944) is captioned as follows: “Flight Lieutenant Vic Motherwell (centre) has good reason to shake the hand of F/L E.S. Heimpel. It was the latter (whose home is at MacDonald College, Quebec), who spotted F/L Motherwell’s crew adrift in the North Sea and assisted in their rescue after nearly 14 hours in a dinghy. At left is Flight Sergeant L.K. Engemoen od Wadena, Saskatchewan, the wireless operator who earned the praise of crewmate for his work inn sending out DOSs. The incident occurred on the crew’s 15th trip, a long over-water bombing mission to Kiel.” This officer has completed an outstanding tour of operations. He has participated in numerous sorties over a wide range of targets. At all times he has displayed exceptionally fine leadership, tenacity of purpose and airmanship of a high order which has set a fine example to all. On one occasion he showed admirable initiative in organizing a sea search for a crew from his flight. He led three aircraft until he sighted the crew in their dinghy when he directed air/sea rescue aircraft and surface vessels to the rescue. DHH file 181.009 D.1730 (Library and Archives RG.24 Vol 20607) has recommendation drafted 11 October 1944 by W/C H.C. Ledoux when he had flown 34 sorties (160 hours 55 minutes). Submission as follows: During his tour of operations, Flight Lieutenant Heimpel showed a keenness and determination for operations which was an example to all within this squadron. On several occasions his skilful airmanship and ability to make instant decisions in emergency contributed greatly to the success of his undertakings. Entirely on his own he organized and led three aircraft in a sea search for a crew from his Flight, sighted the crew in their dinghy and directed Air-Sea Rescue aircraft and surface vessels to it. This officer\'s exceptional qualities of leadership and tenacity of purpose have set a high standard to all personnel of this squadron and it is strongly recommended that he be awarded the Immediate Distinguished Flying Cross.