US volunteer to the RCAF.. Ribbon Bar
 

This ribbon bar came from a local estate sale belonging to a fellow who had joined the RCAF in early 1940's. He would soon go overseas with RCAF and flew in missions based out of England. He was an Aerial Gunner. This information I obtained after the fact from his obituary. There is a post war blazer pocket badge for the RCAF 405 Squadron

He ended up the war in Burma as a member of the CACW Chinese American Composite Wing. This group is a bit obscure and were part of the US 14th Air Force. He was an active member in the Burma Star Association travelling to England at times for their reunions. In fact later he belonged to the American Chapter of the Burma Star.

An interesting combination of ribbons to an American. He had lived in Chicago prior to joining the RCAF.

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Very interesting back story. So he never served in the USAAF at all? His service ribbons would indicate he never opted to return to them

Hi irish

Nice ribbon bar.

I am wondering how he earned a Burma Star though. A gunner in 405 Sqn certainly would have earned the rest but if he indeed went to the CACW, there would be no entitlement, on the face of it.

He may have been seconded in some way from the RCAF but more likely that he left the RCAF to go to the CAWC as they were Chinese-American org only.

I have a 405 history if you'd care to share the name.

regards
Darrell

Mike... it is odd to me also. The CACW was part of the 14th US Air Force. He was also a member of the 14th Air Force Association also. I have many of his Burma Star Assoc items.
Jack

Darrell... I agree. A bit of a mystery. He was an active member in the Burma Star Association. It is my understanding that you had to be a recipient to be a member. I have sent along his name to you in a PM.
Thanks
Jack

As an American, why was he awarded the Canadian Voluntary Services Medal? Or should I do more research? D.J.

The medal was awarded if a person, serving in the Canadian Forces, met the criteria for it. Country of origin was not a factor.

Cheers,
Dan.

[QUOTE=Dan M;519435]The medal was awarded if a person, serving in the Canadian Forces, met the criteria for it. Country of origin was not a factor.

Cheers,
Dan.[/.
Dan, I was unable to find my book by Surgeon Commander F.J. Blatherwick, CD., Canadian Orders, Decorations and Medals untill now. Reference the American being in possession of the CVSM, your statement was a little ambiguous. Blatherwick’s book clearly states, “TERMS: Awarded to Canadiansfor 18 months voluntary service between 2 September 1939 and 2 September 1945, or for any voluntary service outside Canada.” One could construe that the word Canadian would therefore be the criteria. I have the post nominal CD, I am not Canadian, but the medal is a “Canadian Forces” (in which I served)Decoration.The criteria here is “Canadian Forces”. Nevertheless, still an interesting puzzle! Surely his service records are available somewhere?