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Johnny is the last surviving dambuster he is 96 years old and there is a petition going on to give him a knighthood bearing in mind they give out knighthoods to a lot of people these days for the mondane of things sport,music etc this is a bloke along with all is comrades who really deserve it.https://www.change.org/p/honours-and...o-a-knighthood
Just to put a little meat on the bone, ( Just to show in my humble opinion why he should be knighted ). Enlisted 6.11.1940 No 1199696 sent for pilot training but scrubbed, inorder to get back into the war volunteered for gunnery training posted to an operational squadron but as a spare gunner, so he then volunteered again as a bomb aimer.Quote:
Originally Posted by jones20
Posted 97 Squadron, pilot Joe McCarthy, first operation sortie 27.8.1942 and the last was on 22.3.43. Whilst with 97 Squadron, once attacked Berlin with one engine out, another returned with battle damage, one starboard engine u/s., and port inner running very rough, in another attack on Berlin aircraft would not climb so attacked at 14,000 feet, with the risk of being struck by bombs from aircraft above.
Posted with crew to 617 Squadron, took part in Dams raid being only one of two aircraft to attack the Sorpe Dam at an estimated height of 30 feet, on the way in the aircraft was hit by anti aircraft fire which went through the starboard engine nacelle, wing (Just missing fuel tank) and through the roof just over the navigators head.
Last sortie with 617 was on 10.4.44 then posted as an instructor, Awarded DFM, London Gazette 28.5.1943, Commission as a Pilot Officer 29.11.1943.
Remained in the RAF., after the war returning to an operational bomber squadron. Retired in 1962 with the rank of Squadron Leader.
Just goes to show Johnny Johnson and many like him do this for their country and get nothing yet run or cycle round a couple of laps and get a knighthood and then expect to be called Sir (in their dreams)