The Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm took on the might of the Luftwaffe to secure their place in one of the most decisive military battles in history: the Battle of Britain. During 3 frenzied months in 1940 over 1700 aircraft were destroyed and the death toll of airmen and civilians killed topped over 23,000. But did you know that 20% of pilots who took part were from non-British countries? These included 10 US airmen who broke US neutrality laws to fly in that fateful battle. Eight lost their lives.
Top Row (L to R) Alex Zatonski, dePeyster Brown, William 'Billy' Fiske
Middle Row (L to R) Art Donahue, Andrew Mamedoff, Eugene Tobin
Bottom Row (L to R) Carl Ray Davis, John Haviland, Phillip Leckrone, Vernon Keough
The Assistant Air & Space Attaché to the United States, Group Captain Nevin had, like many of his colleagues, taken part in the annual memorial to honour the bravery of those who fought in 1940. But it was when the Group Captain had been asked to give a keynote speech at a function for one of these US airmen in Boston that he started, in his words “an incredible journey.” The officer was William ‘Billy’ Fiske, who won gold at the 1928 and 1932 Winter Olympics as part of the US Bobsled team. The decision was made to have these pilots honoured, in each of their home states and in historically significant locations, such as at the Arlington Memorial in DC.
The project to honour ‘the 10’ began in earnest in 2024, with the Group Captain collaborating with Mr J Normington of the British and Commonwealth Remembrance Project.
From the moment I learned of their stories I knew I had to retell them to anyone and everyone. That is how the project came into being.
Mr J Normington
“Some 18 months later, it has grown exponentially from what we initially anticipated, and we believe we may have the first comprehensive list of US pilots to be awarded the Battle of Britain ribbon,” commented the Group Captain.
Amongst a number of other sponsors, such as the British American Business Council and the Bees Knees British Imports; Rolls Royce, a long-standing defence industry partner who had created the Merlin engines fitted in Spitfires and Hurricanes in World War II, were approached with a view to sponsorship. After securing some funds, both the Group Captain and Mr Normington spent months raising additional monies to produce beautifully engraved bronze plaques to be unveiled in each of the airmen’s home states. These include Ohio, Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Utah.
The whole project would never have come to fruition without the help of many organisations including consulate general offices, museums, military archives, universities and veterans. Deciding on where to locate many of the plaques takes considerable administrative effort across a myriad of authorities and jurisdictions.
US communities are great at embracing their local history...The response from every town, village and city has been phenomenal.
Mr J Normington
The first plaque to commemorate Pilot Officer Andrew Mamedoff was unveiled on 12 September 2025 at his hometown of Thompson, Connecticut. This was followed by a plaque unveiling on Battle of Britain Day, 15 September 2025 at the US Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia in the presence of Brigadier General Simmons (US) and Air & Space Attaché of the United Kingdom, Air Commodore Thomas. (US) and Air & Space Attaché of the United Kingdom, Air Commodore Thomas. In January this year, an unveiling was carried out by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth and the Chief of Staff of the US Air Force, General Kenneth Wilsbach, at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Group Captain Nevin proudly points out, “The latter location really brings to life my key motivation of enduring legacy and has also encouraged our desire to place memorial plaques at RAF Cranwell and the Canadian Air Academy.”
Bottom Row: Brigadier General (US) & Air Commodore Thomas
In a number of US states where the airmen may have lived or attended schools, further plaques have been dedicated. “The whole essence of the project is to ensure that future generations know the sacrifices that were made in the name of freedom,” said the Group Captain, who has attended many of the unveilings.
If the plaques do nothing more than pique people’s interest, so they go and so some research of their own, they will have done their job.
Group Captain Nevin.
Air & Space Attaché to the United States
Bottom: Plaque unveiling, Military & Veterans Museum, Camp Ripley, Minnesota
The RAF Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Lloyd unveiled a plaque to celebrate the life of Flight Lieutenant Carl Ray Davis DFC at the USAF National Air Museum in Ohio in March of this year, supported by Air Commodore Thomas & Group Captain Nevin.
Bottom Right: Air Marshal Lloyd with US colleague.
Let us remember that freedom is never free, and that the courage of a few can change the course of history for many.
Air Commodore Thomas.
Air & Space Attaché of the United Kingdom
Bottom Row: Officer Alex Zatonski (left), Officer dePeyster Brown (right)
Did you know…..?
The Eagle Pub in Benet Street, Cambridge is renowned for its ‘RAF bar.’ The ceiling is covered in the graffiti of British and American World War II pilots who burned their names and squadron numbers using a variety of articles including lighters, candles and lipstick. A craze that was started in 1940, the ceiling also includes the names of some of the 10 US airmen. “We have many tourists come in just to see the room itself and many American/British military overtaking the space on Friday evenings. They sing and have a very good time. It is a very special moment to be a part of,” said Assistant Manager, Chelsi.
Images courtesy of Assistant Manager, Chelsi.