Godfrey, John Trevor, born on 22-07-1922 in Woonsocket, Montreal, Canada,
to Reginald Godfrey (1890 – 1954) and his wife Ethel Aris Rodgers (1894 – 1969), but his parents moved to Rhode Island when he was young, one year old. John joined the Royal Canadian Air Force
in August 1941 and graduated from flight school in October 1942. Godfrey then served with the No 57 Operational Training Unit
in England before receiving a commission with the U.S. Army Air Forces
on 27-04-1943. He was destined to become an outstanding American warrior, to destroy more enemy aircraft than any other pilot in the 4th Fighter Group
under command of Colonel Chesley Gordon Peterson







To become a national hero in whose honor factory whistles were blown, military parades staged and war bond rallies held. But at home, in his ‘teens, Godfrey was the subject of many anxious family consultations. He was moody, reckless and appeared to be shiftless. His salient feature was his set of darting, gypsy black eyes. They later proved the keenest eyes in the 4th, disciplined, radar eyes that could spot enemy specks in the sky miles away. But in 1940, they had a restless, faraway expression that reflected Godfrey’s maladjustment. 11-08-1941, his despairing parents made a covenant with him. It was agreed that he could go to Canada and try to enter the RCAF
to become a fighter pilot. Attempted to join the RCAF but brought home by authorities (3x). If he failed he would come back and go to college. He never went to college. He painted “Reggie’s Reply” on his plane,








Death and burial ground of Godfrey, John Trevor.




Godfrey, John Trevor passed away 12-06-1958, at the age of 35, from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in South Free port. His promising life was cut short by of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and is buried on the Maple Root Cemetery, Coventry.
“The Look of Eagles,”
written together with Thomas D. White, was published about his war experiences.



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