Donald Mathew "Tex" Pieri

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Canadian Fighter Pilots Get Biggest Bag of Huns

London, Jan 2 1945 (CP) - Canadian fighter pilots accounted for at least half of the 94 German plane destroyed by the RAF's 2nd Tactical Air Force New Year's Day when the Luftwaffe made an attempt to cripple west front airfield operations.
A compilation tonight, based on the latest reports received from the Continent, showed that RCAF fighters in their biggest day of the war destroyed at least 36 enemy aircraft and half-a-dozen others fell to Canadian sharpshooters in RAF Squadrons.
The top scoring wing in the 2nd Tactical Air Force during the day of close to 100 "kills" was the Canadian Spitfire unit which brought down 24 German machines, probably destroyed another three and damaged seven. An untold number of probables and damaged planes were claimed by other Canadians.
The wing’s scorers included two airmen who downed three planes apiece, both from the Ram Squadron. F/O G. D. Cameron of Toronto destroyed a trio of ME-109s while F/L John Mackay of Cloverdale, B.C., destroyed two ME-109s and an FW-190. Mackay got the last two without using his guns because they dived into the ground when he chased them.
F/L D. Pieri of Toronto and Elmhurst, Ill., destroyed two FW-190s and probably destroyed two others.
F/L Dick Audet of Lethbridge, Alta., who last Friday shot down five enemy planes in little more than five minutes, brought his total to seven with two FW-190s bagged as they roared low over his field. Friday's quintet were the first aircraft the 22 year-old Lethbridge airman had downed.
Others from the Canadian wing, who helped to set up the day's record - the previous top mark for the Canadians in a single day was 22 planes - included S/L Dean Dover, DFC, and Bar, of Toronto, who destroyed an ME-109 and shared another with F/O Dean Kelly of Peterborough, Ont. and F/L Donald Gordon of Vancouver with two ME-109's.
Double scorers included F/L J. W. Garland, Richmond, Ont.; P/O Steve Butte, Michel, B.C.; P/O Mac Reeves, Madoc, Ont. and F/O A. H. Fraser, Westmount, Que.
Single scorers included F/L W. Banks, Toronto; F/L B. MacPherson, St. Thomas, Ont.; F/L Basil Doak, Cowansville, Que.; F/O Vic Smith, Toronto; F/O J. C. Lee, Ottawa; P/O D. M. Horsburgh, Carnduff, Sask.; F/L N. Keene, White Lake, B.C.; F/O H. Laurence, Edson, Alta. and F/Sgt Keith Lindsay, 10764 95th St. Edmonton. Lindsay also claimed one probable.
Operations today were restricted by weather but 90 sorties were flown and all aircraft returned. Two locomotives were destroyed and four others damaged in the Cologne area by Spitfire fighter-bombers.

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PIERI, F/L Donald Mathew (J9430) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.412 Sq. (deceased)
Award effective 2 May 1945 as per London Gazette dated 29 March 1946 and
AFRO 497/46 dated 17 May 1946.

During numerous operational sorties Flight Lieutenant Pieri has displayed keenness and a fine fighting spirit. He has always pressed home his attacks with determination, frequently in the face of intense enemy opposition. In January 1945, while returning from a reconnaissance over enemy territory, his squadron intercepted a formation of forty enemy aircraft. Without hesitation this officer engaged the enemy, destroying two and badly damaging two more. Since then he has destroyed another enemy aircraft bringing his total victories to at least three enemy aircraft destroyed.

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Air Force Casualties

Ottawa, December 11, 1945 — The Department of National Defense for Air has released the following casualty lists showing next of kin for those from Ontario:
LIST NO. 1399 OVERSEAS includes:
Pieri, Donald Mathew, Flt. Lt. Mrs. D.M. Pieri (wife) 1055 Davenport Rd., Toronto

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Victories Include :

5 / 0 / 2

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Canada Honors War-time Deeds At Investiture

Ottawa, Nov. 8, 1949 (CP) — "In the name of His Majesty, the King, I invest you . . ."
Many times these words have been repeated in the white-pillared ballroom at Rideau Hall. Again yesterday they brought back memories of the Second World War" as Canada's Governor-General, Viscount Alexander, spoke them once more to the 68 servicemen and women — and next-of-kin — who stepped forth to receive the rewards of war-time gallantry.
It was the first such investiture at Government house in nearly a year. Decorations ranging from the Order of the British Empire to the Distinguished Flying Cross were presented to members and former members of the three services.
Twelve mothers, five fathers and four widows received the awards of those who either did not return from overseas or who later died.
A red-headed, four-year-old, Terry Platana of Regina; stepped smartly alongside his mother, Mrs. Sarah Platana, as she walked up the long, carpeted aisle to meet Viscount Alexander, and receive the Distinguished Flying Cross; won by her husband; the late F/O D. D. Platana.
Terry later proudly displayed the big silver cross his father had won for "a high degree of skill and courage during his many operational missions against the enemy."
"Terry always said he wanted to be on hand to receive his father's medal," said Mrs. Platana.

Full Of Remembrance
Tales of coolness in the face of enemy opposition, operational sorties, mine-laying missions — the voice of the aide-de-camp droned on as he read the citations. Unfamiliar phrases now, but haunting, and they were as full of remembrance as the great red poppies several of the men wore in their buttonholes.
Mrs. Beatrice DeCourcy of Windsor, Ont., received the D.F.C., for her son, the late S/L T. J. DeCourcy. Mrs. Edith Awrey, also of Windsor, received it for her son; the late P/O D. M. Awrey; Mrs. Edward Lee, St. Thomas, Ont., for her son, the late F/L J. G. Lee; Mrs. Ida May Munro, Brantford, Ont., for her son, the late F/L L. E. Munro; Mrs. E. R. Smith, Toronto, for her son; the late F/L W. R. Smith; Mrs. May Murray, Galt, Ont., for her son, the late F/O T. R. Murray.
Other Ontario awards were: The D.F.C. – A. J. Little of Agincourt, on behalf of his son, the late F/L S. W. Little; Mrs. Evelyn Pieri, Toronto, for her husband; the late F/L D. M. Pieri; Mrs. O. E. Ridge, Toronto, for her husband, the late F/L R. C. Ridge; P. E. Suddick, Toronto, for his son, the late F/L W. E. Suddick; G. Peacock, Everett, for his son, the late F/O W. G. F. Peacock; F/L J. W. Garland, Richmond; F/L R. B. Grant, Stittsville.

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American Aces

--- Canadian Aces ---

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