SAVARD, F/L Joseph George Ernest (J20430) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.440 Squadron - Award effective 23 May 1945 as per London Gazette dated 1 June 1945 and AFRO 1147/45 dated 13 July 1945. Born 22 April 1920 in Winnipeg; home in Kildonan, Manitoba. Apprentice mechanic; enlisted in Winnipeg, 18 June 1941. Granted Leave Without Pay until 27 August 1941 when posted to No.2 Manning Depot. To No.4 SFTS (guard duty), 27 October 1941. To No.7 ITS, 21 December 1941; graduated and promoted LAC, 13 February 1942 but not posted to No.19 EFTS until 28 February 1942; may have graduated 24 April 1942 but not posted to No.10 SFTS until 10 May 1942; graduated and commissioned 28 August 1942. To No.3 Flying Instructor School, 26 September 1942. To No.4 EFTS, 9 November 1942. To No.19 EFTS, 18 January 1943. Promoted Flying Officer, 18 February 1943. Promoted Flight Lieutenant, 28 August 1944. Dates of postings overseas, repatriation and release uncertain. Rejoined as a pilot on Short Service Commission, 8 May 1951 (38455). To Supplementary Reserve, 7 October 1953. Award presented 11 June 1949. Died 20 February 2001 in Moncton, New Brunswick as per Royal Canadian Legion “Last Post” website and Legion Magazine of November/December 2001. Throughout numerous operational sorties Flight Lieutenant Savard has attacked many heavily defended targets. He has always pressed home his attacks, often in the face of intense enemy opposition and has destroyed a large number of enemy transports and locomotives. As a flight commander, by his outstanding ability and fine leadership, this officer has materially contributed to the many successes achieved by his squadron. NOTE: Public Record Office Air 2/9099 has recommendation drafted by S/L H.O. Gooding, Commanding Officer, No.440 Squadron, 10 March 1945 when he had flown 96 sorties (108 operational hours). This officer has completed 96 dive-bombing and strafing sorties against heavily defended targets which included bridges, marshalling yards, enemy strong points, barges, locomotives, railway tracks, canal locks and V-1 sites. As a flight commander this officer has led the squadron against many targets, obtaining excellent results. He is exceptionally good at finding ground targets and has pressed home his attacks despite intense flak to destroy a large number of enemy transport and locomotives. By his outstanding dive-bombing ability and good leadership he contributed much towards helping the squadron make a record number of rail cuts during the month of February 1945. Flight Lieutenant Savard, under a calm and quiet manner, has a fine offensive spirit in action, and by his courage, skill and determination has set an example to all members of his squadron. I strongly recommend that this officer be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. This was endorsed by W/C F.G. Grant (10 March 1945), G/C A.D. Nesbitt (11 March 1945) and the Air Officer Commanding, No.83 Group (20 March 1945). Air Marshal A. Coningham approved the award on 13 April 1945.