Article

John Emilius Fauquier

Published Online January 29, 2008

Last Edited December 16, 2013

John Emilius Fauquier, air force officer (b at Ottawa 19 Mar 1909; d at Toronto 3 Apr 1981). Educated at Ashbury College, Fauquier, a commercial pilot, joined the RCAF in 1939, eventually commanding 405 (Pathfinder) Squadron, RCAF, and from December 1944, 617 (Dambuster) Squadron, RAF.

Fauquier, John Emilius

John Emilius Fauquier, air force officer (b at Ottawa 19 Mar 1909; d at Toronto 3 Apr 1981). Educated at Ashbury College, Fauquier, a commercial pilot, joined the RCAF in 1939, eventually commanding 405 (Pathfinder) Squadron, RCAF, and from December 1944, 617 (Dambuster) Squadron, RAF. He was awarded the DFC for gallantry and the DSO for his "skillful and courageous example" over Peenemünde and Berlin in August 1943. He received a bar to his DSO in January 1944 and at war's end became the only Canadian airman to be awarded a second bar, for his "brilliant leadership, undoubted skill and iron determination." He also received the Croix de Guerre avec palme and was made Chevalier de la légion d'honneur. He returned to private business and in 1973 was named to the Aviation Hall of Fame.