RAFMAF 'Spirit of the Battle of Britain' Banquet 2024

‘Spirit of the Battle of Britain’




‘Spirit of the Battle of Britain’

Banquet Thursday 10th October 2024 The Mayflower Hotel, Connecticut Avenue, Washington, D.C. Marking the 80th Anniversary of D-Day The presentation of the Swords of Honor to the outstanding USAF and RAF Exchange Officers of 2024

‘Spirit of the Battle of Britain’

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Contents

4 6 8 9 10 14 18 23 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION Major General (Ret.) Larry Martin USAF, Chairman, RAFMAF AIR CHIEF MARSHAL SIR RICHARD KNIGHTON KCB ADC FREng, Chief of the Air Staff, RAF 24 THE START OF A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP The origins of the USAF/RAF Military Personnel Exchange Program THE ROYAL AIR FORCE MUSEUM AMERICAN FOUNDATION SWORDS OF HONOR Recognizing the most outstanding RAF and USAF officers on exchange this year 26 SWORDS OF HONOR 2024 CITATIONS Squadron Leader Alex Gledhill RAF and Major Austin J. Baker USAF 28 D-DAY: CONTROLLING THE AIR Recalling the momentous events of 6th June 1944, in which British and US air forces played a crucial role 31 COLONEL (RET.) RICHARD “DICK” HEYMAN USAF Tonight’s Guest of Honor, a D-Day fighter pilot whose career spanned three wars THE STORY OF A D-DAY VETERAN – IN HIS OWN WORDS John Haddock recalls his experiences as a 21-year-old navigator, tasked with patrolling the English Channel for enemy ships as the Allies prepared for D-Day REVEALING A LITTLE-KNOWN STORY OF THE ‘GREAT ESCAPE’ How visits to two museums confirmed the validity of an apocryphal tale of the ‘Great Escape’ from a notorious prisonerof-war camp, which took place in 1944 AIRMEN OF NOTE Find out more about the music of the U.S. Air Force’s premier jazz ensemble – a traditional part of the evening’s entertainment at RAFMAF’s annual ‘Spirit of the Battle of Britain’ Banquet PASSION FROM PROVENANCE How original material from historic aircraft is being transformed into poignant mementos, ensuring that their stories are passed down to future generations RAF MUSEUM REVIEW An update from the RAF Museum, including how the 80th anniversary of D-Day was commemorated and exciting plans to develop its Midlands site Cover: USAF P-51 Mustangs with D-Day invasion stripes fly in formation with a B17 Flying Fortress (Kevin Carter Photography/Alamy) Produced by Harfield Media www.harfieldmedia.com RAF MUSEUM AMERICAN FOUNDATION 3

Contents

Welcome and Introduction

Major General (Ret.) Larry Martin, USAF, Chairman, Royal Air Force Museum American Foundation changed significantly over the past 80 years, our airmen, airwomen and guardians’ tenacious spirit and our cooperative determination has never flagged. Our Exchange Officers’ dedicated and innovative service makes us excited for, and optimistic about, our shared future. The RAF/USAF Exchange Program grew from Sir Winston Churchill’s 1946 description of how the United States and United Kingdom might strengthen the bonds between their military forces. During his famous ‘Iron Curtain’ Speech at Missouri’s Westminster College, Churchill clearly described the need for an “association between the US and the UK to glean a mutual understanding between our military advisers, the study of potential dangers, similarity of weapons and manuals of instruction and, most importantly, the interchange of personnel.” For over a decade, RAFMAF has recognized the close association between our militaries by presenting a ceremonial Sword of Honor to each of the RAF and USAF Exchange Officers whose contributions have most reflected the values THE ROYAL AIR FORCE MUSEUM AMERICAN Foundation (RAFMAF) is proud to host the ‘Spirit of the Battle of Britain’ Banquet again this year. We thank Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, Chief of the Air Staff, Royal Air Force (RAF), and the RAF for their continued partnership as we promote the ties, friendship and common values between our two great nations and our air and space forces. We also welcome Department of the Air Force leadership from the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, and our sponsors, donors and industry partners. Tonight, we gather to celebrate our future with the outstanding service of 2024’s top RAF and USAF Exchange Officers and to remember the past by commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Although aerospace technologies have  In December last year, RAFMAF President Stuart K. Archer presented RAF Museum Chief Executive Off icer Maggie Appleton with a cheque for $1.5 million to facilitate the Museum’s education initiatives RAF MUSEUM AMERICAN FOUNDATION 4

Welcome and Introduction

that our services and Foundation share: Service,

Excellence, Integrity, and Courage. We are proud to recognize these superb officers and celebrate their contributions. Since the Banquet’s inception in 2009, our Foundation has presented 27 ceremonial Swords of Honor to the top RAF and USAF Exchange Officers. Tonight, we bestow this distinguished award upon Squadron Leader Alexander Gledhill, RAF, and Major Austin Baker, USAF. In this 80th anniversary year of D-Day, we are thrilled to welcome Colonel Richard Heyman, who, as a 20-year-old 8th Air Force fighter pilot, flew combat sorties escorting the Airborne Divisions over the Normandy beaches. After the Second World War, Colonel Heyman also flew combat missions in both the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. You can read more about his distinguished military career and those aerial adventures on page 18. Colonel Heyman is joined tonight by his wife, Barbara, and we look forward to hearing his memories. As we remember service past and present this evening, we are proud to announce that the  The Foundation’s P-51 Mustang ‘Donald Duck’, on loan to the RAF Museum, with D-Day stripes that reduced the risk of Allied aircraft being attacked by friendly forces Foundation’s philanthropic work has continued despite the economic challenges of the previous several years. I am pleased to report the RAFMAF made a $1.5 million donation to the RAF Museum late last year to facilitate the Museum’s education initiatives. We are excited to support the RAF Museum’s regeneration project, which will increase its capacity to accommodate not only more school visits, but also enable education workshops for youngsters from diverse ethnic and social economic backgrounds. By highlighting and celebrating the shared values and history of our combined forces, the Foundation can continue inspiring the next generation of fighting airmen, airwomen and guardians. But we cannot do this alone – we thank you, our sponsors and donors, for your continued support of RAFMAF as we honor the legacy of the past to inspire the future. RAF MUSEUM AMERICAN FOUNDATION 5

that our services and Foundation share: Service,

Air Chief Marshal

Sir Richard Knighton KCB ADC FREng, Chief of the Air Staff, RAF IT IS AN HONOR TO RETURN TO THE RAF Museum American Foundation annual ‘Spirit of the Battle of Britain’ Banquet as the Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal Air Force. It gives me great pleasure in welcoming my dear friends from the Department of Air Force and our other allies and partners here this evening. It is also a wonderful opportunity to dine with our Guest of Honor, Colonel Richard Heyman who, with the USAF, flew a Mustang over the beaches of Normandy on D-Day with No 364 Squadron from RAF Honiton. After flying P-38s and P51s he flew A-26s in Korea, and then in Vietnam he piloted the F-105. I look forward to hearing from you a little later this evening, and my most sincere congratulations on celebrating your 100th birthday earlier this year. Allies and partners took to the sky in the face of overwhelming odds during the Battle of Britain, and we celebrate and remember their success this evening. I am fi lled with immense pride and a deep sense of responsibility to honor those who have served our countries. The legacy of our Forces, steeped in valor and sacrifice, has been forged through monumental events, none more significant than the Battle of Britain. It was here that the resolve of our airmen and airwomen was tested, and their bravery helped safeguard our nation at a time of profound peril. Their indomitable spirit resonates strongly today, paralleling the ferocity displayed by our allies. Together, during critical moments in history, including the Second World War and beyond, we forged a bond that transcends borders and embodies a shared commitment to freedom and security. The cooperation between our forces has proven time and again that unity in purpose creates unparalleled strength in the face of adversity. As we reflect on the sacrifices made during the Battle of Britain, we must also apply those lessons to the modern confl icts we face. Today, we encounter a complex landscape marked by rapid technological advancements and multifaceted challenges. Cyber warfare, asymmetric threats and global instability now define our operational environment. Just as our predecessors triumphed over adversity, so must we adapt and innovate to preserve our nations’ safety and sovereignty and be ready to fly and fight. The challenges of today embody a global nature, where the collaboration between the Royal Air Force and the United States Air and Space Forces plays a crucial role in maintaining stability. Our shared values and commitment to excellence empower us to confront these modern threats and foster greater security for all. I extend my deepest gratitude to all of you for your unwavering support of the Air Force and to those who have worked tirelessly to make this evening possible. RAF MUSEUM AMERICAN FOUNDATION 6

Air Chief Marshal

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7

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The start of a

special relationship Recalling the origins of the USAF/RAF Military Personnel Exchange Program, which continues to enhance mutual understanding between the two air forces ON 5TH MARCH 1946, WINSTON CHURCHILL delivered his ‘Iron Curtain’ speech at the appropriately named Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. During his speech, he articulated the need for an exchange of personnel in order to glean mutual understanding. “I propose that each of the powers and states should be invited to dedicate a certain number of air squadrons to the service of the World Organization. These squadrons would be trained and prepared in their own countries, but would move around in rotation from one country to another. They would wear the uniform of their own countries, but with different badges. They would not be required to act against their own nation, but in other respects they would be directed by the World Organization.” Five years later, under the watchful eyes of General Hoyt Vandenberg and Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir John Slessor, the USAF/ RAF Military Personnel Exchange Program was created. Initially, the program permitted 50 exchange posts in each air force. Participation in the Military Personnel Exchange Program is on a selective basis, with the parent air force solely responsible for the selection of its Military Exchange Personnel. To be considered for an exchange post an individual must be well-versed in the current practices, technical training, and doctrine of their organization and be particularly qualified through experience for the exchange position to be occupied. The individual must have demonstrated capabilities for future positions of greater responsibility and must possess the grade, skill, training, and academic qualifications that are detailed in the applicable position description. One of the early exchange officers at the USAF Academy in Colorado Springs (April 1960-June 1962) was Squadron Leader J A G Slessor, son of Sir John Slessor. In his end of tour report he concluded “the Exchange Scheme is an invaluable program and it is clearly vital that the presence of exchange officers should be continued.” Nearly 80 years on from Churchill’s speech, his vision of ‘intimate relations between our military advisers, leading to common study of potential dangers, the similarity of weapons and manuals of instructions, and to the interchange of officers and cadets’ remains valid and will do so for many years into the future.  Air Marshal Sir John Slessor and General Hoyt Vandenberg were the first guardians of the Military Personnel Exchange Program RAF MUSEUM AMERICAN FOUNDATION 8

The start of a

Swords of Honor

Each year the RAF Museum American Foundation recognizes the contribution of Exchange Officers from either side of the Atlantic IN 2009, THE ROYAL AIR FORCE MUSEUM American Foundation (RAFMAF) presented the first annual Sword of Honor to the Royal Air Force (RAF) Officer on exchange with the United States Air Force (USAF) who has contributed most in the previous year to relations between our two great nations and their air forces. In 2012, another Sword was added to recognize the most outstanding USAF Officer on exchange with the RAF. The formal presentation of these swords to their recipients at the annual ‘Spirit of the Battle of Britain’ Banquet in Washington provides RAFMAF with the opportunity to publicly thank Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton KCB ADC FREng, Chief of Staff of the Royal Air Force (RAF), for his, and the RAF’s, continued help in RAFMAF’s efforts to preserve the heritage of USAF and the RAF by keeping it alive in the memories of our two nations. It is the Foundation’s privilege and pleasure to honour and recognize the continued close association between our active duty militaries by presenting two ceremonial Swords of Honor to the top RAF and USAF Exchange Officers whose contributions have most reflected the values that our veterans, and the Foundation, share: Service, Excellence, Integrity and Courage. It is these values that we honor in our young women and men of today and encourage in the young people of tomorrow. Since the presentation of the first Sword of Honor, RAFMAF has honored 27 RAF and USAF Exchange Officers, recognizing their significant contribution to the spirit of collaboration and cooperation between our two air forces. Major Austin Baker USAF and Squadron Leader Alex Gledhill RAF have become the 28th and 29th worthy recipients, symbolizing the excellent work of Exchange Officers on both sides of the Atlantic. With the help of our sponsors, the Foundation will keep our combined and shared histories of air power alive as we look forward to celebrating the achievements of the 2025 Sword of Honor winners at next year’s ‘Spirit of the Battle of Britain’ Banquet.  The 2023 Swords of Honor recipients – Squadron Leader Joe Rigg RAF (above) and Captain James M. Matheson USAF (left) – are presented with their awards by Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, Chief of Staff of the Royal Air Force, and Frank Kendall, Secretary of the US Air Force, respectively, at last year’s banquet RAF MUSEUM AMERICAN FOUNDATION 9

Swords of Honor



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