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John
Trevor
Godfrey
POW (WWII) Escapee
March 28, 1922

–

June 12, 1958.

Born:

Montreal

, 

Canada

Home:

Woonsocket

, 

Rhode Island

Buried: 

Coventry

, 

Rhode Island

Cemetery:

Maple Root Cemetery

John Godfrey initially joined the Canadian Air Force in 1941, and served with them in England before being commissioned in the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1943. During the war he became a TRIPLE ACE and was credited with 16.33 aerial victories and destruction of more than a dozen enemy aircraft on the ground. He was shot down and captured on August 24, 1944, and was interned as a Prisoner of War. He escaped captivity shortly before the war ended. He was elected to the Rhode Island State Senate in 1952, and died in 1958 of “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.”

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    336th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) John Trevor Godfrey (ASN: 0-885950), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot of the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    336th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) John Trevor Godfrey (ASN: 0-885950), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot of the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    336th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    March 8, 1944
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 263 (April 10, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) John Trevor Godfrey (ASN: 0-885950), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while piloting a fighter aircraft of the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in support of bombers on a mission over Germany, on 8 March 1944. Shortly after making rendezvous with the formation, enemy aircraft were observed preparing to attack the bombers. Exhibiting superior combat tactics, Lieutenant Godfrey and his section leader immediately launched a vigorous attack, each of them destroying one of the enemy planes. While climbing back to protect the bombers two more enemy fighters were seen flying towards the formation. Again Lieutenant Godfrey engaged the enemy and destroyed another aircraft. This encounter was hardly over before Lieutenant Godfrey and his section leader shared in the destruction of a third enemy fighter. The gallantry, zeal and superior flying skill displayed by Lieutenant Godfrey in protecting the formation served as an inspiration to his fellow flyers and materially aided in the completion of an important bombing mission.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    336th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) John Trevor Godfrey (ASN: 0-885950), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot of the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    336th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) John Trevor Godfrey (ASN: 0-885950), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot of the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    336th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Group

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Germany)

    Action Date:

    August 24, 1944 – Escaped April 3, 1945
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 2052

    Captain (Air Corps) John Trevor Godfrey (ASN: 0-885950), United States Army Air Forces, was shot down on a strafing mission near Norhausen on 24 August 1944, and captured by German forces. He was held as a Prisoner of War until he successfully escaped captivity on 3 April 1945.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    336th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) John Trevor Godfrey (ASN: 0-885950), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot of the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    336th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    August 5, 1944
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 105 (June 28, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) John Trevor Godfrey (ASN: 0-885950), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while piloting a fighter aircraft of the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, during a fighter-bomber mission over Germany, on 5 August 1944. Separated from his squadron, Captain Godfrey, with only his wingman, attacked and damaged eight locomotives and box cars. Sighting a well-camouflaged aircraft with parked planes, he scored strikes on one which exploded, causing flying pieces to damage his plane. Undaunted, he pressed home his attack in the face of intense ground fire to destroy two more aircraft. Withdrawing, Captain Godfrey engaged and pursued an ME-109 which led him over a heavily-defended area. With only two guns operating and oblivious to the hail of flak, he tenaciously closed to fifty yards and shot the hostile fighter down in flames. The extraordinary courage, boldness, and dexterity displayed by Captain Godfrey on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    336th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) John Trevor Godfrey (ASN: 0-885950), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot of the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    336th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) John Trevor Godfrey (ASN: 0-885950), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Fighter Pilot of the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.