Framingham Flying for the Commonwealth
Image: Framingham High
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RCAF Pilot's Wings 403 Squadron Patch
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Images:Neitz Family
Richard C. “Dick” Neitz was born in Swindon,England on 15 January 1918. He would,however,spend most of his life as a citizen of Framingham.In fact,he graduated from Framingham High School (FHS) in 1935 with “Double Ace” Norm MacDonald.Flight Sergeant Dick Neitz, RCAF also served as Norm’s Best Man for his 1944 marriage to Helen Maplebeck,also an FHS Grad (Class of 1938).Dick’s father,George Louis (Lou) Neitz (1898-1976) was the founder of Framingham's iconic "Lou's Doughnuts." He started the business in the early 1920s."Lou's" was in the basement of the family home on Bishop Street.
Image: Neitz Family
As a British citizen,Dick could easily enlist in the RCAF.In August of 1942,at the age of 24,he headed north to Nova Scotia to do so.Following his initial flight training,he transitioned into the sleek British Spitfire fighter.He was assigned to the RCAF’s 403 Squadron.The squadron’s patch was adorned with a wolf’s head and the motto “Stalk and Strike.” Dick and the 403rd would participate in Allied operations in France (including Normandy),Beligum,Holland,and Germany.In early 1945,he was promoted from Flight Sergeant to Warrant Officer. One day in May of 1945,he downed one German FW-190 fighter and damaged two others.Upon his return to Framingham after the war,Dick continued to help with the family business while also working with Norm MacDonald in real estate.In the late 1950’s,after several years at Adams & McDonald,he founded his own real estate company (Gateway Realtors).Dick worked there until his death in December of 1982.Like Norm,Dick was also a “fixture” at Framingham Lion’s Club events and fundraisers.
Dick and best friend Norm MacDonald
**Of note,prior to Pearl Harbor,9,500 Americans volunteered for the RCAF.Of that number,4,450 transferred to the US Army Air Force after Pearl Harbor -- 5,100 remained with the RCAF.
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Well done, Mark
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