Veteran Donald “Doc” M. Payne shares his story of service with the Royal Canadian Air Force both during and after the Second World War. Payne begins by sharing his story of enlistment and training. He then describes his initial assignment to a Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter-bomber squadron in the United Kingdom and raids across the English Channel into Nazi-occupied Europe. Payne recounts later joining a Bomber Command crew and a particularly harrowing mission on Friday the 13th in April 1945 while serving with 428 Squadron RCAF. He received a Distinguished Flying Cross for his skilful flying and role, despite his wounds, in helping the crew survive over 11 days afloat in their dinghy. Doc Payne concludes with thoughts about fallen comrades and an appeal for the torch of memory to carry forward.
