John T. Godfrey

John Trevor Godfrey (March 28, 1922 – June 12, 1958) was an American fighter pilot and flying ace in the 336th Fighter Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, Eighth Air Force during World War II.[1]

John Trevor Godfrey
Born(1922-03-28)March 28, 1922
Montreal, Canada
DiedJune 12, 1958(1958-06-12) (aged 36)
Rhode Island, United States
AllegianceCanada
United States
Service/branchRoyal Canadian Air Force (1941–43)
United States Army Air Forces (1943–45)
Years of service1941–1945
RankMajor
Unit4th Fighter Group
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsSilver Star (2)
Distinguished Flying Cross (8)
Air Medal (4)

4th Fighter Group
John Godfrey and Don Gentile at RAF Debden

Godfrey achieved 18 air-to-air kills against the Luftwaffe, before he was shot down by flak and captured by the Germans on August 24, 1944.[2]

Godfrey was friend and wingman to Don Gentile.[3][4] Together with his wingman Dominic Salvatore Gentile, they were known as ‘Captains Courageous’, ‘The Two Man Air Force’, ‘Messerschmitt Killers’, or ‘Damon and Pythias’ [5]

He was promoted to the rank of major before he was discharged from the Army Air Forces shortly following the war.

Post war

Originally from Woonsocket, Rhode Island, he served in the Rhode Island State Senate.

He died on June 12, 1958 of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. His life is told in the 1958 book, The Look of Eagles, written with Thomas D. White.[6]

References
  1. Philip Kaplan (2017). Lone Eagle: The Fighter Pilot Experience - From World War I and World War II to the Jet Age. New York: Skyhorse Publishing. ISBN 978-1-5107-0516-6. OCLC 1005928360. Retrieved December 2, 2018 – via Google Books.
  2. "John Trevor Godfrey | Military". American Air Museum in Britain. Archived from the original on April 19, 2015. Retrieved 2018-12-02.
  3. Philip Kaplan (2006). Two-Man Air Force: Don Gentile & John Godfrey World War Two Flying Aces. Havertown: Pen and Sword. ISBN 978-1-4738-0065-6. OCLC 1048404608 – via Google Books.
  4. Video: American Army Women Serving On All Fronts Etc. (1944). Universal Newsreel. 1944. Retrieved February 21, 2012.
  5. Cohen, David; Covington, Greg (1 February 2016). "The Last Flight of Don Gentile". Warbird Digest. Vintage Aviation Publications. Retrieved 21 May 2020. Don Gentile needs no introduction. Whether known as ‘Captains Courageous’, ‘The Two Man Air Force’, ‘Messerschmitt Killers’, or ‘Damon and Pythias’, the exploits of he and his wingman, John Godfrey,
  6. Godfrey, John Trevor (1973) [1958]. The Look of Eagles. New York, NY: Ballantine. OCLC 14685879. Retrieved December 2, 2018 – via Google Books.


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