Robert W Lynch Profile

Robert W. Lynch was a fighter pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) 111F Squadron. In early June 1942, the Canadians were sent north to aid the American Army Air Corp (AAC) following the bombing of Dutch Harbor, Alaska and the Japanese invasion of Kiska and Attu in early June 1942. Robert served in the Aleutian Islands from June 1942-June 1943.

Robert W. Lynch was awarded an American Air Medal for his participation in the first fighter escorted bomber mission over Japanese occupied Kiska Island on September 25th, 1942. He was one of only four RCAF pilots that accompanied the Americans on this offensive attack. On that mission, one Japanese Zero floatplane was shot down and crashed into the Bering Sea by RCAF squadron leader Kenneth "Boomer." It was also said that on that same mission, AAC Squadron leader Maj. John S. Chennault shot down a second Japanese Zero. For their role in the mission, all four Canadian airmen, as well as the American airman, were awarded the distinguished American Air Medal.

Robert's granddaughter, Karen Abel, developed a web site including photos and stories of American and Canadian airmen who served in the Aleutians as well as stories of her recent visit to Alaska.

Read Granddaughter on a Mission, a short essay by Karen in the April-May-June 2020 issue of Williwaw, the Aleutian Islands World War II Historic Area's quarterly newsletter.