Air Force History
New Bomber Command honour unveiled
Apr. 16, 2013
From Veterans Affairs Canada
The new Bomber Command honour, in the form of a bar to be worn on the ribbon of the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM), was unveiled yesterday at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa. Applications are now officially being accepted for this honour.
To apply for the honour visit www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/collections/cmdp/bomber.
“Our Government announced its intention to create a Bomber Command honour, and we are now pleased to unveil this honour today,” said Veterans Affairs Minister Steven Blaney. “With this bar, our Government is honouring those Canadians who fought for peace, freedom and democracy through their service in Bomber Command, and in particular the approximately 10,000 who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
“Fifty thousand Canadians defended our commonwealth and our country’s freedoms and values by serving and sacrificing for the greater good through Bomber Command operations,” said Defence Minister Peter MacKay, who assisted Minister Blaney in unveiling the honour.
“Our Government, and Canadians across the country, are proud to extend our heartfelt gratitude by acknowledging their selfless efforts with the Bomber Command honour.
“Lest we forget.”
The existing Order-in-Council governing the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (CVSM) has been amended to include the eligibility criteria and the description of the new Bomber Command honour. All Canadian veterans who were awarded the CVSM and served a minimum of one day with Bomber Command, regardless of rank or role, are eligible for this new bar.
Loved ones of a deceased Canadian Bomber Command veteran who hold the veteran’s CVSM may also apply to receive this bar. Processing priority will be given to applications received from living Canadian Bomber Command veterans or their surviving spouses.
“The Air Force Association thanks Minister Blaney and the Harper Government for their continued efforts to recognize the sacrifices and contributions of Bomber Command,” said the national president of the Royal Canadian Air Force Association, Colonel (ret’d) Terry Chester. “We see this as a significant and memorable step in the recognition of these unsung heroes.”
The effort of the approximately 50,000 Canadians who served with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and the Royal Air Force (RAF) in Bomber Command operations over occupied Europe was one of Canada’s most significant contributions during the Second World War. Some 55,000 Allied airmen lost their lives in flying accidents, through enemy action in the skies over Europe or in prisoner of war camps.
