Canadian airmen who flew with Bomber Command during the Second World War are getting recognition 67 years after their service.
On June 25th 2012 the National Defence Minister for the Conservative Government, Peter McKay announced a Bomber Command Bar to be awarded to WW2 Veterans who served in the Bomber Command. In doing so the Canadian Government has recognized with distinction these special airmen of WW2.
At age 93 Wilf Coderre of Stoughton is one of the few living recipients to receive this Bomber Command Clasp. The special silver bar clasp to be worn on the Canadian Service Medal, depicts a four engine WW2 bomber in the center superimposed on a pebbled background.
There were 50,000 young Canadians who volunteered for Bomber Command and who were later sent on missions over Germany to combat the formidable German air defences. Approximately 10,000 made the ultimate sacrifice and died.
Wilf was 20 when he joined the RCAF. In January 1944 he was on his 13th bombing mission with 5 other crew members. There were 1,000 planes in the air that night, 48 planes were shot down and his plane was one of them. He was able to free himself from behind the turret of the tail gun he was operating and parachuted out at 17,000 feet. He would spend the next 17 months as a prisoner of war being released only when the war ended.
Coderre is also the recipient of a prestigious red eyed caterpillar lapel pin, military memorabilia issued by the Irvin Parachute Co. Inc. recognizing that he successfully used a parachute to bail out of a disabled aircraft. The chute made by Irvin was the one he wore the night his plane was shot down. The caterpillar represents the silk used to make the chute and the red eyes indicate his plane was on fire.
This Bomber Command Clasp will be added to Coderre's collection of 5 other medals.
After the war Wilfred successfully founded W.H. Coderre and Sons Construction. Today the business is owned and operated by his three sons, Del, Kim and Randy.
