World War II Victoria Cross Medal Recipient. He served as a Flight Lieutenant in the 162 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force. On June 24, 1944, his flight command was deployed to Wick, Scotland, in the North Atlantic Ocean, to seek German submarines en route to Normandy. After spotting an enemy sub, Flight Lieutenant Hornell's twin-engine amphibian aircraft was badly damaged by German U-boat fire. Nevertheless he succeeded in sinking it and then with much effort managed to bring his aircraft down on the heavy swell, blazing furiously. There was only one serviceable dinghy which could not hold all the crew so they took turns in the water. By the time the survivors were rescued after 21 hours, Flight Lieutenant Hornell was blinded and weak from exposure and cold. He died shortly after being picked up. For extreme valour, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross Medal in July 1944.
World War II Victoria Cross Medal Recipient. He served as a Flight Lieutenant in the 162 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force. On June 24, 1944, his flight command was deployed to Wick, Scotland, in the North Atlantic Ocean, to seek German submarines en route to Normandy. After spotting an enemy sub, Flight Lieutenant Hornell's twin-engine amphibian aircraft was badly damaged by German U-boat fire. Nevertheless he succeeded in sinking it and then with much effort managed to bring his aircraft down on the heavy swell, blazing furiously. There was only one serviceable dinghy which could not hold all the crew so they took turns in the water. By the time the survivors were rescued after 21 hours, Flight Lieutenant Hornell was blinded and weak from exposure and cold. He died shortly after being picked up. For extreme valour, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross Medal in July 1944.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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