John F. G. Howe
| John Frederick George Howe | |
|---|---|
| Born |
26 March 1930 East London, South Africa |
| Died | 27 January 2016 (aged 85) |
| Allegiance | South Africa United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
South African Air Force (1949–54) Royal Air Force (1954–85) |
| Years of service | 1949–85 |
| Rank | Air Vice Marshal |
| Commands held |
RAF Regiment (1983–85) Southern Maritime Air Region (1980–83) Royal Observer Corps (1977–80) RAF Gutersloh (1973–74) No. 228 Operational Conversion Unit (1968–69) No. 229 Operational Conversion Unit (1967–68) No. 74 Squadron (1960–62) |
| Battles/wars |
Korean War Suez Crisis Cold War |
| Awards |
Companion of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Air Force Cross Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air (2) Distinguished Flying Cross (United States) Air Medal (United States) |
Air Vice Marshal John Frederick George Howe, CB, CBE, AFC (26 March 1930 – 27 January 2016) was a senior Royal Air Force officer in the 1970s and 1980s. He flew combat missions in the Korean War and North Sea interceptor air patrols during the Cold War, finishing his career as the Commandant General RAF Regiment and RAF Provost Marshal and Director General Security. Howe also served as the sixteenth Commandant of the Royal Observer Corps between 1977 and 1980.
Howe was born in East London, South Africa, and educated at St Andrew’s College, Grahamstown. He joined the South African Air Force immediately after leaving school.
Howe began his military flying career in the post-Second World War South African Air Force, and learned to fly in Tiger Moths, Harvards and Spitfires. In 1950 he was posted to No 2 Squadron SAAF "The Flying Cheetahs" and deployed to Korea to fly combat missions as part of South Africa's contribution to the Korean War in support of the UN forces.
During his first tour of duty in Korea he flew the Mustang F-51D fighter-bombers in front-line action. A later second tour saw him serving with US infantry units, as a ground based Forward Air Controller, operating in the thick of the fighting. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal from the United States for his service during these actions.
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