Galbraith, Robert Francis (Flight Lieutenant)

Home in Shelburne, Ontario. Enlisted Toronto 6 August 1941. Trained at No.3 ITS (graduated 5 December 1941), No. 4 EFTS (graduated 30 January 1942), and No. 13 SFTS (graduated 5 June 1942). Killed in Action 5 April 1945 while serving with No.181 Squadron. 181 Squadron (Irruimus Vastatum). Flight Lieutenant Galbraith was flying Typhoon aircraft SW 552 and was engaged in an armed reconnaissance when his aircraft was hit by flak. The Typhoon dove straight into the ground one mile south of Hartlage, Germany. Addendum: - Air Medal (United States) - 11th USAAF (deceased) - Award effective 27 August 1943 as per Canada Gazette dated 4 May 1946 and AFRO 473/46 dated 10 May 1946. Details found in DHist file 181.009 D.4402 (RG.24 Vol.20648) where USAAF 11th Air Force General Order No.106 dated 27 August 1943, on behalf of Alaska Defence Command, lists officers receiving Air Medal for meritorious achievement in aerial flight with the following citation; NOTE: The same order awards posthumous Air Medals to J5216 Flight Lieutenant D.W.N. Wakeling (Vancouver, flights 1 January to 6 May 1943), 111978 Flight Lieutenant R.F. Galbraith (Shelburne, flights 18 April to 26 July, 1943), and J27371 Pilot Officer R.M. Bell (Hot Springs, Arkansas, flights 19 April to 10 August 1943). Apparently not approved by RCAF authorities. The file contains much operational information on all those decorated on this occasion. All were in No.14 (F) Squadron. The citation reads - "These officers, as pilots of fighter planes, participated in numerous attacks on enemy installations in the Aleutians which were pressed home despite heavy anti-aircraft fire and often under adverse weather conditions. All flights were made from advanced bases and required skillful airmanship for a successful execution of the mission. The courage and devotion to duty of these officers reflect great credit upon themselves and the organization of which they are a part." Detail provided by H. Halliday, Orleans, Ontario.