On this day in history: Flight-Lieutenant David Hornell

Social Media / June 24, 1944

Flight-Lieutenant David Hornell of the Royal Canadian Air Force was piloting a plane on patrol over the Atlantic Ocean north of the Shetland Islands when a German submarine was spotted. Hornells’ crew went on the attack and, despite being hit by anti-aircraft fire, sank the U-boat.

The Canadian plane had been badly damaged, though, and had to be ditched in heavy seas where it soon went under. Only one life raft survived the crash and it took 21 hours to rescue the adrift airmen, not all of whom could fit in the raft at the same time.

Hornell would die of exposure, but his bravery would be recognized with the posthumous awarding of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour a Canadian could receive.