John Frederick George Howe was born in East London, South Africa, on March 26 1930 and educated at St Andrew’s College, Grahamstown. As soon as he left school, he joined the South African Air Force and trained as a pilot. In early 1951 he joined No 2 Squadron, known as the Flying Cheetahs, which was based in South Korea as part of the United Nations forces.
The squadron, equipped with the piston-engine Mustang, was heavily engaged in the ground attack role in support of the Army. On June 24, Howe took off with three others. They responded to an emergency call for air support by a surrounded ground force.
In the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, the four Mustangs attacked gun emplacements a number of times. Howe did not expect to survive, but the four aircraft returned to base. All four pilots received US gallantry awards. A month later, Howe was forced to crash land and was rescued by a helicopter.
In September, as a 21-year-old second lieutenant, he was the leader of four aircraft instructed to attack enemy troops that were threatening friendly forces. Fierce enemy fire damaged Howe’s aircraft but he continued to lead his formation against the target. The US authorities awarded him an immediate DFC, the citation recording: “He displayed a standard of leadership above and beyond that normally expected.”
After completing his flying tour, Howe remained in Korea as a forward air controller before returning to South Africa. At the end of 1954 he travelled to Britain to join the RAF...
Another good man gone...