Canada, Commonwealth. An Air Force Cross & Logbook Group To S/Lr Charles G. Harville

Air Force Cross, in silver, reverse 6 o’clock arm engraved 1946, worn on a second war ribbon, lovely patina, minimal wear, in extremely fine condition.

Four Second World War medals swing mounted with a horizontal pin, consisting of a 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with bar, and 1939-45 War Medal, bar measures 126mm (w), all in very fine condition.

Log Book (1 of 2), a hard cover book named to Charles G. Harville F/LT, measures 220mm (w) x 227mm (h), containing entries from 8 October 1940 to 29 December 1943 for various aircrafts (Battle, Harvard, Anson, Crane etc.) and duties (Night Bombing, Weather Checks, Photographic Flights etc.), light wear, in very fine condition.

Log Book (2 of 2), a hard cover book named to C. G. Harville F/LT, measure 220mm (w) x 225mm (h), containing entries from 5 January 1944 to 7 June 1946, primarily for the C47 “Dakota” Aircraft, also contains four small black and white pictures of the crew members (F/LT Harville, F/O McNabb, F/O Crump, P/O Weir), light wear, in very fine condition.

Accompanied by a 437 “Husky” Squadron RCAF booklet containing a brief history of the squadron and a crew list from May 1946, in very fine condition.

 Footnote: Charles Gaylon Harville was born on February 4, 1905 in Corinth, Missouri. Prior to enlisting, he completed high school and worked in an advertising agency between 1924 to 1936. Following this, he was employed by the Lost Angeles Water and Power Company. Harville enlisted in Ottawa on September 7, 1940 and was commissioned as a Flying Officer. He served as a pilot and pilot instructor during the Second World War, who received an Air Force Cross in 1945.

On August 5, 1941 Harville arrived at No. 3 Bombing & Gunnery School, Macdonald, Manitoba, from his posting at #1 Air Navigation School, Rivers. RCAF Station Macdonald was established near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba on March 10, 1941.

On July 3, 1942, Squadron Leader J.E Rogers, Officer Commanding Air Training Squadron, left the stations and Flight Lieutenant C.G Harville (C2719) took over command of the Armament Training School. In October 1942, he became acting O.C of Flying during the absence of S/L J.E Rogers. While at the school, he participated in a Victory Bonds formation on October 18, 1942. On January 19, 1944, Harville left the School for his posting to No. 5 B.&G.S. Dafoe, Saskatchewan.

Harville was a part of the 437 squadron, known as the “Huskies” sponsored by the Hudson’s Bay Company which was formed on September 4, 1944. He took part as a pilot of Dakotas (C47 Aircrafts) in towing gliders and dropping paratroopers in Operation Market Garden and the Rhine Crossing in September 1944. As identified in his logbook, in March 1945, he was a pilot during Operation Varsity, the airborne assault of Operation Plunder, in which allies attempted to cross the far side of the Rhine during the final phase of the North-West Europe campaign. This was the largest airborne operation to conducted in a single day, involving over 16,000 paratroopers and thousands of aircrafts. There were no casualties to the Huskies during this operation. Following this operation, the squadron was tasked with returning ex-prisoners of war and displaced persons to the United Kingdom. He was one of the two senior officers to stay with the squadron after October 1945, continuing to fly and trade on establish trading posts for the Hudson’s Bay Company. He was releasd on June 21, 1946, apparently settling in Ottawa.

His Air Force Cross recommendation was dated April 13, 1945, after completing 1,568 hours, 180 of which in the previous six months.

“This officer joined the squadron shortly after its formation and it is due in no small amount to his efforts that the standard of flying in the squadron has been maintained at a high level.  He would always be most painstaking in checking out new crews in his flight and by his exceptional skill and leadership would guide the junior pilots until he was sure that they were sound and steady transport captains.

Prior to joining this squadron Flight Lieutenant Harville has flown on all the major internal routes in Canada, and whilst flying with this squadron has always set an extremely high standard by safely flying his aircraft through most adverse weather conditions.  This officer's keenness, determination and outstanding devotion to duty has at all times been an inspiration to the remainder of the squadron.”

An additional public record office air 2/8771 provides a shorter, edited citation:

“Flight Lieutenant Harville is a Deputy Flight Commander.  He joined this squadron shortly after its formation and it is largely due to his efforts that the standard of flying has been maintained at a high level. By his exceptional skill and leadership he has assisted and guided junior pilots until he was sure they were capable transport captains.  Prior to joining 437 (RCAF) Squadron this officer has flown over all the major internal routes in Canada.  An efficient Deputy Flight Commander, Flight Lieutenant Harville’s keenness and determination have set an inspiring example to the members of his Squadron.”

Harville is noted in the London gazette on June 14, 1945 for the awarding of his Air Force Cross. He died on April 19, 1971 at the age of 66. He is buried in Rose Hills Memorial Park, California, USA.