Squadron Leader Andrew “Andy” Robert MacKenzie

Born in Montreal, Quebec on August 10, 1920, Squadron Leader Andrew Robert “Andy” MacKenzie, DFC, CD was regarded as a pillar in the Royal Canadian Air Force after his extensive service throughout World War 2 and the Korean War.

 

MacKenzie enrolled in the RCAF on June 6, 1940, and was mustered at No.1 Manning Depot in Toronto, Ontario. He formally began his RCAF career at No.1 Initial Training School (ITS) in Toronto, Ontario, where he spent a month gaining basic skills. He continued his training at No.4 Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) in Windsor Mills, Quebec, as well as No.31 Service Flying Training School (SFTS) in Kingston, Ontario. The skills he gained proved to be invaluable during his service.

 

During the war, he primarily flew the Spitfire. Initially assigned to 421 Squadron (RCAF), he was later moved to 403 Squadron (RCAF). Throughout his time in WW2, he engaged in many air-to-air and air-to-ground assaults. In one of his most notable dogfights, he was outnumbered 3-1 by the German Luftwaffe, but still managed to shoot down two Focke-Wulf 190’s and damage a third.

 

For his service during the war, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Later on in his military career, MacKenzie was attached to the 51st Interceptor Wing of the United States Air Force and served in the Korean War, where he was shot down. He was captured, and spent two years in a prisoner of war camp. After his release, he would spend another 13 years in the RCAF, retiring in 1967 after 27 years of service.