Lest We Forget / 9 The Royal Canadian Legion Prince Edward Island Command TRaINOR, Hugh Charles “Charlie” – Distinguised Flying Cross & Bar – Distinguished Service Order Charlie was born in Charlottetown, PEI on July 17, 1916. He enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force in Moncton, NB on February 16, 1940. He trained in Canada and Britain as a fighter pilot and later as Commander of a Canadian squadron. He was awarded the DFC in August of 1944, after shooting down five enemy planes in a short period. By October, he had nine planes and won the Bar to the DFC. He evaded capture the first time he was forced to land behind German lines, but was not so lucky the second time. He was reported missing on September 19, 1944. He was freed in April 1945, and was awarded the DSO for his leadership in commanding a Canadian fighter squadron, which destroyed 385 enemy vehicles in three weeks. Charlie passed away on July 4, 2004. MacgIllIVaRY, Charles andrew – United States Medal of Honour – Distinguised Service Cross – Bronze Star – Purple Heart – Croix de guerre – Soldier’s Medal Charles was born in Charlottetown, PEI on January 17, 1917. He joined the Merchant Marines at age 16. Shortly thereafter, he emigrated to the United States to live with his older brother in Boston, Massachusetts. When living with his brother, he joined the U.S. Army in January 1942. While in boot camp, he was asked if he wanted to become a U.S. citizen. He decided that if he was going to fight for the United States that he should be U.S. citizen. MacGillvary’s first wartime action came during the Battle of Normandy, landing on Omaha Beach in 1944. From Omaha Beach, he was involved in numerous liberation conflicts throughout France, before reaching Woelfling during the Battle of the Bulge. On January 1, 1945, during this battle, his unit was surrounded by the 17th German Panzer Grenadier Division, MacGillivary, then 27, picked up a machine gun and knocked out four German machine gun nests, killing 36 German soldiers. During this action, he lost his left arm. It was for this action that he received the United States Medal of Honour “for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.” Charles passed away on June 24, 2000 in Brockton, Massachusetts. Harry S. Truman, President of the United States, presenting Charles MacGillivary with Congressional Medal of Honour on August 25, 1945.
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