Philip Ernest WILLIS (1907-

Name:	WILLIS, Philip Ernest
Nationality:	Canadian
Regiment/Service:	Royal Canadian Air Force
Rank:	Squadron Leader
Service No.:	C/3239
Date of Birth:	March 18, 1907

WILLIS, S/L Philip Ernest (C3239) - Officer, Legion of Merit (United States) - Award effective 4 April 1947 as per Canada Gazette dated 5 April 1947 and AFRO 187/47 dated 11 April 1947. Born 18 March 1907 in Victoria; educated at University of British Columbia and Boeing School of Aeronautics. Employed by TCA as Operations Clerk, Operations Department Headquarters, Winnipeg, 7 January 1938 until September 1940. Enlisted in Winnipeg, 9 December 1940 and commissioned; Flying Officer, 18 January 1941; Flight Lieutenant 1 December 1941; Squadron leader, 1 April 1942. Served at No.2 SFTS, 20 January 1941 to 8 September 1941; AFHQ, 9 September 1941 to 15 January 1942; No.2 ANS, Pennfield Ridge, 16 March 1942 to 8 April 1942; Western Air Command Headquarters, 26 April to 31 December 1942; No.2 Group, Victoria, 1 January 1943 to 10 July 1943; Western Air Command Headquarters, 11 July 1943 to 22 September 144; overseas with Transport Command, September 1944 to August 1945. As of June 1945, TCA was writing to get him back. Captain Glenn Howell, USN, Naval Attache, American Embassy writing to A/M Leckie, 1 May 1946, provides citation:

For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service as Secretary-Member of the United States-Canadian Inter-Service Flying Control Committee on the West Coast during the period from July 1943 to April 1944. Squadron Leader Willis, with untiring and exceptional personal endeavour, co-operated with the naval authorities of the United States in a highly commendable manner. His efforts contributed to an effective and cordial relationship with the Canadian West Coast Command.