Hero Spotlight Herb McGee
In recognition of the Royal Canadian Air Force Centennial, Trees for Life is honouring RCAF veterans in the Hero Spotlight. This month we’re sharing Herbert McGee’s story, Flying Officer (retired), who served at Pennfield Station, New Brunswick, which is one of the communities building a Centennial Grove.
Originally, from Saint Andrews, New Brunswick, Herb McGee is a 99-year-old veteran who served at Pennfield Station during the last few months of the Second World War. Pennfield Air Station is significant in the history of the RCAF because it was originally designed to train pilots for WWII action in Europe and the Battle of Britain. After the war, it was converted for civil use.
Herb joined the RCAF at age 18 and always wanted to be a fighter pilot. In the over 2 years that he served he was a tail gunner in several missions over France and Germany including bombing raids over France from August 10 – September 30, 1944, retiring as a Flying Officer.
While not physically wounded, Herb suffered from PTSD for decades and was unable to sleep in the same room as his wife. He was haunted by memories of scenes from the war that to this day, he is uncomfortable speaking about in detail.
Life as a tail gunner was difficult, he felt he was “always a spare.” Flight crews were in groups of seven, each handling a different task. Tail gunners had a very short life expectancy and were often denied the opportunity to join a crew permanently being told that losing crew members was “bad for morale.” As a result, McGee was with a new crew on every mission which made it difficult to develop close friendships.
A few years ago Guy Black, a volunteer advocate for veterans nominated McGee for France's Legion d'Honneur. The National Order of the Legion of France is the highest national honour of the country, and McGee’s nomination was accepted in recognition of his services during the war. It’s a special honour and the Government of France recognizes the medal, it is equivalent to Canada’s Order of Canada.
Herb says receiving the medal brought peace and closure to a very difficult period of his life. McGee also received a letter and certificate from Lawrence MacAulay, Canada’s minister of veteran’s affairs, in 2021 recognizing his contributions stating ”we are honoured to count you as part of our crew.”
Herb will receive recognition at the local level too. The Turnbull (NB) Chapter, of the Canadian Aviation Historical Society, with one of their partners the Pennfield Ridge Air Force Memorial is marking the RCAF 100 by producing 100 pole banners, and one will feature Herb. The Banner Project honours 100 aviators-eleven are still serving in the RCAF today. One served with the forerunner of the RCAF during WWI and the other 99 served during WWI to the present day. There are three special banners, one for two air cadet squadrons, one for our two NB Squadrons, 403 & 410, and also for a former crew member of the Edmundston Lancaster KB882, which is currently being restored at the Air Force Museum. Turnbull played a small role in helping to preserve that aircraft.
The banners will be hung in over 25 locations around the province, from April 1st to November 12th, 2024. Then the banners will be given to the aviator or a family member at no cost.
The Banner Project is a lovely way to honour these aviators who gave so much on our behalf.
*With content courtesy of Telegraph Journal, Rhythm Rathi reporting