A conversation with Canada’s most decorated citizen Major-General (Retired) Richard Rohmer
Mustang Fighter Group shot with the General Centre Cap and Collar
Canada’s most decorated citizen and active serving member of the Canadian Armed Forces, Major-General (Retired) Richard Rohmer, the Honourary Lieutenant-General of the Canadian Armed Forces graciously granted Trees for Life a couple of hours of his time recently. We chatted about his service with the RCAF, and the General as he likes to be called, shared stories of his days flying P-51 Mustangs in World War II and his thoughts on planting living tributes to honour heroes. In the centennial year of the Royal Canadian Air Force, it’s notable that the General also celebrated his centennial in January this year.
Richard Rohmer was born in Hamilton, Ontario. He always knew he wanted to fly and when the war began he arrived at the local Armed Forces office, pre-qualified and when he turned 18 years old he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force.
He says his drive to serve his country comes from a never-ending desire to maximize opportunities. And serve his country he did.
General Rohmer served with the RCAF as a fighter-reconnaissance pilot during 1942-1945. He loved flying the Mustang because it was the most agile and fastest plane available at the time, able to skim across the landscape just 50 – 1000 feet above the ground, allowing for detailed photography to inform the Allied Forces intelligence agency while maneuvering through onslaughts of enemy fire.
During the Second World War, he took part in D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. He also served in Belgium, Holland, and Germany, completing 135 combat mission tours of operation by November 1944. One notable encounter involved a conversation and confrontation with General George S. Patton, who was regarded by the Germans as the top Allied fighting general. A month later, while leading a section of four Mustang fighter aircraft on another low-level reconnaissance mission, General Rohmer spotted a German staff vehicle. Knowing it had to be someone of importance, the General called in Spitfires that shot up the vehicle, seriously injuring what turned out to be German Field Marshal Rommel, taking him out of the Battle of Normandy.
General Rohmer is the only WW2 combatant who had contact with the top generals on both sides in Europe – Patton and Rommel.
In July 1944, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his successful and well-known reconnaissance missions. After his many years of postwar service, he received the rank of Major-General as Chief of Reserves Army. Following his retirement, he continued as an honourary advisor to the Chief of Defence Staff and remained active in several military organizations. Today, he is the only person who served who holds the title, Honourary Lieutenant General of the Canadian Armed Forces.
During his years in service, General Rohmer became an accomplished lawyer and writer, penning over 35 books of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. His legal career included corporate, land use, air, and administrative law, and his work with the Ontario Municipal Board involved him in many development projects including the rezoning of the downtown core to allow for the building of the CN Tower and Rogers Centre.
Over the decades Lieutenant General Rohmer has held many prestigious positions and titles. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada, a Commander of the Order of Military Merit, and served as the Chief of Reserves of the Canadian Armed Forces from 1978-1981. He is a holder of the Jubilee Medal, the Centennial Medal, the Confederation Medal, the Golden Jubilee Medal, the Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the Canada Defence Medal. Along with Canadian recognition, he has also been appointed by H.M. King Baudoin of Belgium to an Officer in the Order of Leopold in 1989, and in 2004, he was appointed to a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour by the President of France.
“It’s always important to recognize any significant dates in the major battles during World War Two.” Lieutenant General Rohmer has been involved with D-Day and the Battle of Normandy commemoration events for the past 50 years—including working on the Advisory Committee to Veterans Affairs for the 60th and acting as an Advisor to the Minister of Veterans Affairs for the 70th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. When asked what he thought about planting trees to honour heroes, the General said:
“It’s a great opportunity, memorializing others by planting living things that will benefit people and the planet for generations is a lovely legacy for them and the future.”
At the time of our meeting, The General was planning yet another trip to attend the 80th commemoration event of D-Day on Juno Beach, France. As the Senior Canadian Veteran of D-Day, he represents all Canadian D-Day Veterans, as he has done since 2004. The General is still going strong and making the most of every opportunity.
With gratitude for files from the General, RCAF, and Veteran’s Affairs Canada.