McAllister Private is dedicated to Squadron Leader John Everett McAllister, DFC.
John Everett McAllister was born in 1921 in Milltown, New Brunswick. He studied at the University of New Brunswick, serving in the Contingent of the Canadian Officers' Training Corps and the Carleton and York Regiment before joining the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941. Following the completion of his flight training, he was assigned to 415 Squadron in August, 1944, and promoted to Flight Lieutenant in September, 1944. In October, 1944, while flying his Halifax bomber on a mission to Wanna Eickel, his aircraft was hit by a heavy flak, but he continued onto his target and returned safely. For his actions, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The citation reads:
“In October 1944, this officer was the pilot of an aircraft detailed to attack Wanne Eickel. Whilst many miles from the target area, the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. A large hole was torn in the nose of the aircraft, the navigator was wounded and had to be taken to a rest position for attention. Nevertheless, Flight Lieutenant McAllister went on to the target and executed a successful attack. He afterwards flew the damaged aircraft back to an airfield in this country and effected a safe landing in difficult circumstances. Flight Lieutenant McAllister displayed high qualities of leadership, skill and resolution throughout.”
Promoted to Squadron Leader in February 1945, he went on to complete thirty-one missions with the last being on March 14, 1945.
