Captain Wilfred Beaver was a British World War I flying ace credited with 19 aerial victories and American fighter pilot in World War II.
16 Facts About Wilfred Beaver
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Wilfred Beaver's parents separated in 1911, and he was shipped off to Montreal, Canada.
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Wilfred Beaver was supposed to live with his uncle and study dentistry.
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Wilfred Beaver enlisted in the 1st Canadian Heavy Battery of the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 7 August 1914.
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Wilfred Beaver served with the Field Artillery for the next two and a half years, including duty in France.
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Wilfred Beaver transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on 28 February 1917.
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Wilfred Beaver trained at the RAF Training School at Oxford, England.
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Wilfred Beaver was posted to 20 Squadron to fly two-seater Bristol Fighters.
9.
Wilfred Beaver scored his first victory on 13 November 1917.
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Wilfred Beaver continued collecting victories, with a double on 5 February 1918 and three wins on 27 May 1918.
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Wilfred Beaver was transferred the unemployed list effective 13 April 1919.
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Wilfred Beaver became a naturalized citizen on 21 September 1926.
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Wilfred Beaver returned to service in World War II as a major, and was the executive officer of the 447th Bombardment Group, 3rd Air Force, from 25 June 1943, and was awarded a Bronze Star.
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Wilfred Beaver was promoted to lieutenant colonel and moved up to command the group from 1 July 1945 through August.
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Wilfred Beaver then continued on active duty until 15 January 1946.
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Wilfred Beaver later served in the US Air Force Reserve until 1957, retiring with the rank of colonel.