medal set
Item
Title
medal set
Description
set of 9 mini medals belonging to David Goldberg including from left to right: DFC, 1939-1945 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, Italy Star, The Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with overseas bar, the War Medal, Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal, Canadian Forces Decoration
Identifier
009.097.006
Format
Provenance
Group Captain David Goldberg grew up in Hamilton and graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. When the Second World War broke out Goldberg immediately returned home from Boston where he signed up for the R.C.A.F. After training at Manning Depot in Toronto, he went on to SFTS at Saskatoon where he graduated from in February 1941. After some time doing exhibition flying Goldberg was sent overseas and joined 416 Squadron in the summer of 1943. On his eightieth operation, March 8, 1944, Goldberg was shot down by ground flak at low altitude over an airfield in France near St. Andre. After crash landing and with the fear of being captured, David spent several days in hiding with no food or water. A farmer soon took him in then introduced him to the French underground who would take him to Paris. From Paris, he would make his way, along with thirty others, to the British Embassy in Gibraltar. During the escape, they stayed for ten days in the foothills of the Pyrenees where the trip was prolonged by bad weather and a guide who disappeared after going off for assistance. Upon arriving in England, Goldberg was debriefed and sent home to Canada for 30 days leave. The invasion of Italy had begun and soon Goldberg was requested back overseas, but this time with 417 Squadron. He would complete 155 ops with 417 and within a few months he was promoted to Squadron Leader, taking command of the unit in November 1944. David Goldberg was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for outstanding courage and skill as a fighter bomber leader. In 1955 he was appointed the rank of Commanding Officer of 16 Wing (Auxiliary) and promoted to Group Captain. After his successful military career, Goldberg practiced Commercial Law in Hamilton until his retirement.
Abstract
Excellent