WING CDR. LANCE C. WADE

Only American Hurricane Ace

By Stephen Sherman, Dec. 2007. Updated July 21, 2011.

Born Broaddus, Texas - 1915

Joined the Royal Air Force in December, 1940

Commissioned pilot officer - April, 1941

Joined No. 33 Sqn in Aboukir, Egypt; flying Hurricane Mk. I - September, 1941

Downed two CR.42s over El Eng airfield - November 18, 1941

Destroyed Ju-88 and shared SM.79 - Nov. 22

Destroyed CR.42 and shared SM.79 - Nov. 24 (making him an ace)

Began flying Hurricane Mk IIs, awarded the DFC - April, 1942

Downed eight more enemy aircraft - May thru Sept. 1942

Assigned to RAF mission in Washington - Sept. 1942

Joined No. 145 Sqn in Cairo, as flight commander, flying Spitfire Mk. V - December, 1942

Promoted to Squadron Leader - late December, 1942 (Jan. 1943?)

Claimed four Bf-109's - March, 1943

Shot down three Bf-109's and one MC.202, flying Spitfire Mk. IX - April, 1943

Destroyed two FW-190's - October 20, 1943

Promoted to Wing Commander - November, 1943

Crashed and died, at Foggia, Italy - January 12, 1944

Aerial Victories: 23 confirmed, one probable, and 7 damaged

Medals: British Distinguished Service Order and Distinguished Flying Cross with 2 Bars