Frederick J. Gibbons, FHS 1934
Image: Framingham High
WWII Royal Air Force Pilot Wings
Image: Imperial War Museum
Frederick (“Fred”) James Gibbons was born on 23 August 1914. At the time,his parents lived on Dennison Ave in Framingham. Fred graduated from Framingham High in 1934.He was good friends with Norm MacDonald and Dick Neitz,both members of the FHS Class of 1935.Norm would become a “Double Ace” in Spitfires and Mustangs with the US Army Air Force.Dick would fly Spitfires for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).From 1935 to early 1942,Fred managed his father’s restaurant.Like Norm,he also attended the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) in Framingham.They all shared a strong desire to take to the air and eagerly sought new adventures.
In early 1941,Fred applied for and was accepted by the Clayton Knight Committee.The secretive Knight committee provided American recruits for a unique RCAF and Royal Air Force (RAF) program known as the British Commonwealth Air Training Program (BCATP).US CPTP trained pilots,like Fred,were logical recruiting targets.BCATP Training took place in primarily Canadian locations,but also in the US Midwest.The Knight Committee,which was formed in 1939 (following the United Kingdom’s 03 September declaration of war on Germany),was led by American WWI fighter pilot (and successful aviation artist) Clayton Knight,Canadian WWI Ace Billy Bishop and Homer Smith,another Canadian WWI pilot and oil baron who provided financial support.
In 1941,the US was still a neutral nation.It was,therefore,illegal for US citizens to fight for a belligerent nation.Subsequent government-to-government agreements,however,ensured American volunteers did not lose their American citizenship and that they could transfer to the American military in the future should geo-political circumstances deem it necessary.After Pearl Harbour was attacked in December of 1941,American pilots rushed to join their own military services.The Clayton Knight Committee's work was finished.In total,it provided around 3,000 airmen to the RCAF and 300 pilots to the RAF.Some sources,however,credit the committee with moving around 6,000 aviation candidates.Be that as it may,Fred was among the 300 who headed off to England.
US WWI Pilot Clayton Knight
Image: The Epoch Times
WWII Clayton Knight Army Air Force Recruiting Poster
Image: Invaluable.com
Billy Bishop and Churchill, Summer 1940
Image: Billy Bishop Museum, Archives and National Historic Site
In 1941,Fred completed four months of initial aviation training and received a RAF Pilot Officer commission.There is information to suggest this training took place at the Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa,Oklahoma.He soon left for advanced training in England and assimilation into the active RAF.His operational service with the RAF began in the August/September timeframe.He was assigned to the RAF’s Coastal Command,where he flew long range maritime patrol missions. These flights were primarily for maritime reconnaissance and anti-shipping operations.He flew from the British Isles and Iceland.
Image:Public Domain
On 28 August 1942,the Boston Globe reported Fred to be on a three week leave from Coastal Command.He was in Framingham visiting his parents.A 26 October New York Times article indicated 18 American pilots flying for the RAF were transferred to the US Navy as commissioned officers.Fred was one of these men.His Pay Entry Base Date (PEBD) shows him on the Navy payroll on 12 December 1942.The official Navy Register of Officers dated 01 January 1943 holds him as a Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTjg) with a 1315 designator(Navy Reserve Pilot).
US Navy WWII Pilot Wings
Image: Public Domain
Fred’s initial Navy assignment was to VB-125 (Patrol Bombing Squadron 125).At that time,the command flew the PV-1 Ventura aircraft.His unit flew maritime missions from Rhode Island, Newfoundland,Florida,Cuba,and Brazil.
US Navy VPB-125 PV-1, 1943
Image: Public Domain
Fred subsequently filled positions in aviation logistics and training.He was promoted to Lieutenant on 01 January 1944.He was released to inactive duty on 30 November 1945.Following the war,he remained in the Navy Reserve,where he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) in 1946.The 1951 Register of Naval Officers holds him as a Reserve LCDR.
Fred ultimately settled in Groton,MA.He lived there for 30 years.He worked in the packaging industry.He was active in his church and the local country club.Fred passed away on 18 November 2002 in St. Luce,Florida.He was survived by his wife of 59 years (Ann) and three sons.
Sources
Bomber Command Museum of Canada
The Canadian Encyclopedia (www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca)
The Family of Norm MacDonald
The Family of Dick Neitz
Framingham High School
US National Naval Aviation Museum
National Personnel Records Center (The National Archives)
VB-125 War History (The National Archives)
The article I found most interesting on the Clayton Knight Committee:
"Allies in Complicity:The United States,Canada,and the Clayton Knight Committee’s Clandestine Recruiting of Americans for the Royal Canadian Air Force, 1940-1942" by Rachel Heide in the Journal of the Canadian Historical Association (2004)
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