GOHL, F/O James Garfield (J8356) - Air Medal (United States) - Alaska - Award effective 23 December 1942 as per AFRO 272/43 dated 19 February 1943. Born in Carman, Manitoba, 13 June 1919 (RCAF press release 2659 announcing MiD of January 1944). Educated at Roland Public School, 1925-1927; in Boissevain, 1927-1935; University of Manitoba, 1935-1936 (Arts). Home given as Boissevain, Manitoba where his family lived, but he was a Student Accountant in Winnipeg, 1937-1940. . Student of Chartered Accountancy, Winnipeg when he enlisted in Winnipeg, 1 March 1941. To No.2 Manning Depot, 6 March 1941. To No.8 Repair Depot, 8 April 1941. To No.2 ITS, 15 May 1941; promoted LAC, 20 June 1941 and posted that date to No.2 EFTS, Fort William; to No.2 SFTS, Uplands, 7 August 1941. Graduated and commissioned 24 October 1941. To No.111 Squadron, 26 October 1941. Moved with that Squadron from Rockcliffe to Alaska and Patricia Bay. To “Y” Depot, Halifax, 5 January 1944; taken on strength of No.3 PRC, Bournemouth, 20 January 1944. To No.143 Wing and No.440 Squadron, 12 February 1944. Killed in action, 11 June 1944 with No.440 Squadron (Typhoon MN115); name on Runnymede Memorial. Photograph PL-13065 shows him in Alaska; PL-29005 shows him as a Flight Lieutenant, 7 March 1944; photo RE-20396 shows him with P/O H. Gooding in Alaska. See F/O Robert Lynch for citation. GOHL, F/L James Garfield (J8356) - Mention in Despatches - No.111 Squadron (Canada), now at Station Patricia Bay. Award effective 1 January 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 113/44 dated 21 January 1944. This officer has led his squadron and participated in many bombing and strafing attacks against the enemy. Although bad weather prevented many sorties, by his personal example and enthusiasm he kept the squadron morale at a high level. The recommendation itself was drafted 9 September 1943 by W/C R.G. Morrow at Anchorage. It noted that Gohl had flown ten operational sorties, and had flown 141 hours 35 minutes in the previous six months. It read: Participated in attack on Japanese at Kiska in September 1942, on which he was awarded the American Air Medal. As acting squadron commander in May and June 1943 he led his squadron in further bombing and strafing attacks. Although bad weather prevented many sorties, by his personal example and enthusiasm he kept Squadron morale at high level. This was supported by the Air Officer Commanding, Western Air Command (no date) and approved by the Chief of the Air Staff, 12 October 1943. Notes on training: He placed 19th in a class of 174 at No.2 ITS; \"This airman is above average, cool and steady, and most reliable. Sports excellent. Officer material. At No.2 EFTS he placed second in a class of 32; flew Tiger Moths (32.20 day dual, 33.25 day solo of which 5.45 was instruments. Also logged ten hours in Link. At No.2 STFS placed 10th in a class of 49 (Harvard aircraft; 43.05 day dual, 37.25 day solo, 2.35 night dual and 7.25 night solo - 23 hours on instruments and a fufrther 20 hours in Link). Assessments of his performance were uniformly favourable. On 4 December 1941, S/L A.D. Nesbitt wrote, \"Appears to be a good type. He is interested in his work and should prove a satisfactory member of this squadron.\" On 3 July 1942, F/L J.W. Kerwin wrote, \"His ability as a pilot is above average and his cooperation in squadron work has shown considerable interest in same. As an officer, his conduct has been ideal.\" On 22 October 1943, S/L D.L. Ramsay wrote, \"F/L Gohl is an outstanding leader both on the ground and in the air. His opinions are highly respected by all who serve with him.\" S/L Pentland confirmed his making Gohl his deputy (28 March 1944) and declared that with operational experience he would be \"worthy of a squadron of his own.\" A note on file dated 8 June 1944 adds, \"Recommended as a Squadron Commander\" (approved by AOC No.83 Group). The official account of his death reads as follows: Typhoon aircraft MN115, pilot by F/L J.G. Gohl of No.440 Squadron crashed into the sea approximately two miles off the south coast from Bournemouth, Hampshire, at 2245 hours on the 12th June 1944, while returning from bombing and strafing enemy infantry and motor transport near Varaville, France. F/L Gohl was not seen to bale out and other aircraft circled the spot where his aircraft hit the water but nothing was seen of the aircraft or its occupant. In view of this information F/L Gohl is classified as \"Missing, believed killed in action.\" S/L W.H, Pentland wrote to the family on 18 June 1944 (excerpts) Late in the evening of June 12th, 1944, your son was leading my Squadron back from a bombing trip just on the other side of the battle line in France. The lads were just about five miles off the English coast when suddenly Jimmy called out and said that his engine was cutting out. His aircraft started downwards and struck the water before he could properly bale out of it. The rest of the pilots circled the spot where Jim\'s aircraft hit the water, and I regret most deeply to say that nothing remained to be seen. As you no doubt know Mrs. Gohl, I became Commanding Officer of our Squadron at Patricia Bay, and since that time Jim and I have been the best of friends. He was such a fine lad in every respect, and everyone he met liked and admired him - they couldn\'t help but so do ! Further I had chosen him as my Second in Command of the squadron, and rightly so. All our pilots enjoyed the greatest confidence in him as a leader on active operations against the enemy. I can easily understand how, by his great courage and high initiative, he was awarded the United Stated Army Air Medal along with our Mentioned in Despatches. Since dawn of Invasion Day our squadron has been giving direct support to our troops on the other side of the Channel, and Jimmy did more than his share to help them get ashore and then establish a foothold. To aid them carry out this latter operation, he gave his life, and no one can make a greater sacrifice. I only wish you could personally hear from the troops in France, the admiration they hold for the type of aircraft in my squadron, for the ;pilots who fly them, and for the job we are called upon to do. They think we are all heroes, so do we them - your son James was a true hero ! Jim was held in high esteem by both the pilots and the groundcrew. His ready smile and cheerful manner helped the squadron through many difficult and trying times and his absence will be greatly mourned by all the members of the squadron. As of his death he had two brothers - William Alvin Gohl (age 31, Town of Mount Royal) and LAC Ronald Dudley Gohl (No.4 Repeater Station, Prince Rupert) plus three sisters (Gwendolen Margaret Goodman (age 30, Benito, Manitoba), Bertha Muriel Gohl (age 28, Winnipeg) and Katherine Wilma Gohl (age 20, Winnipeg), Application for Operational Wing put foward by S/L pentland, 5 August 1944, listing the following sorties: 30 March 1944 - Sweep, Jersey and Guerney (1.10) 31 March 1944 - Sweep, Caen-Cherbourh (1.15) 8 April 1944 - Bombing, Noball at Gorenflos (1.30) 12 April 1944 -Bombing, Noball near Abbeville (1.15) 14 April 1944 - Bombing, Noball at Aux le Chapeau (1.25) 19 April 1944 - Bombing, Noball near Abbeville (1.20) 25 April 1944 - Escort, bridge near Agon (1.20) 25 April 1944 - Bombing, bridge near Agon (1.30) 26 April 1944 - Bombing, viaduct at Bolbee (1.25) 27 April 1944 - Bombing, bridge near St. Jores (1.20) 30 April 1944 - Patrol, English Cahnnel (1.30) 3 May 1944 - Bombing, destroyer off Pontusual (1.05) 7 May 1944 - Bombing, bridge south of Rouen (1.20) 9 May 1944 - Bombing, marshalling yards at Douai (1.10) 9 May 1944 - Bombing, bridge at Longpre (1.05) 12 May 1944 - Bombing, bridge near Amiens (1.30) 12 May 1944 - Bombing, Noball at Douai 13 May 1944 - Bombing, Noball at Ailly (1.25) 13 May 1944 - Bombing, bridge near Amiens (1.20) 19 May 1944 - Bombing, tanks at Eugem (1.30) 27 Nay 1944 - Bombing, Wuertzburg near Cherbourg (55 minutes) 28 May 1944 - Bombing, Noball near Doudeville (1.10) 28 May 1944 - Bombing, bridge south of Rouen (1.15) 29 May 1944 - Bombing, Noball at Gorenflos (1.05) 30 May 1944 - Bombing, Noball south of Epps (1.25) 5 June 1944 - Bombing, Wuretzburg on Guernsey Island (1.05) 6 June 1944 - Bombing, gun positions at La Breche (1,30) 6 June 1944 - Bombing, motor transport south of Caen (1.30) 7 June 1944 - Bombing, motor transport south of Caen (1.25) 7 June 1944 - Bombing, bridge south of Thury Harcourt 1.35) 8 June 1944 - Bombing, tank column near Le Beby Bocage (1.30) 10 June 1944 - Bombing, motor transport in woods at Bretteville (1.30) 11 June 1944 - Bombing, motor transport at Carpiquet (1.20) 12 June 1944 - Bombing, motor transport near Verraville (1.15)