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Andrew McKeever [Canada]

Name:Andrew Edward McKeever
Country:Canada
Rank:Lieutenant Colonel
Service:Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force
Squadrons:11
Victories:31
Born:21 August 1895
Place of Birth:Listowel, Ontario
Died:25 December 1919
Place of Death:United States
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Military Cross (MC) and Bar
Andrew McKeever

Notes
When the war began, McKeever joined the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada and quickly proved to be an expert marksman in the trenches of France. Towards the end of 1916, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps and was assigned to 11 Squadron in May 1917. At that time, the squadron was replacing its outdated B.E.2's with Bristol Fighters. Scoring all of his victories with the "Brisfit", McKeever was the highest scoring ace to fly this aircraft during World War I. His last aerial combat of the war occurred just before noon on 30 November 1917. On that day, he and his observer, L.F. Powell, engaged two enemy two-seaters protected by a flight of seven Albatros D.V's. During the battle that followed, McKeever and Powell shot down four of the scouts. After the war, McKeever returned to Canada, then took a job in 1919 as the manager of an airfield in the United States. He died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident on 3 September 1919.

Military Cross (MC)
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty, particularly when on offensive patrol. He attacked eight enemy aircraft single-handed at close range, and by his splendid dash and determination destroyed one and drove five down completely out of control. He had previously shown exceptional fearlessness in attacking the enemy when in superior numbers, and in the space of three weeks he destroyed eight hostile machines, setting a fine example to his squadron." MC citation, London Gazette, 17 September 1917

Military Cross (DFC) Bar
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in aerial combats. He has recently destroyed five enemy aeroplanes and driven down six out of control. On one occasion he encountered five enemy scouts and drove down two out of control. Later, while leading a patrol, he engaged nine enemy scouts. He destroyed two, drove down one out of control, and dispersed the remainder. His dash and determination have been a fine example to his squadron." MC Bar citation, London Gazette, 18 March 1918

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While on patrol by himself over the enemy's lines in very bad weather he encountered two enemy two-seater machines and seven scouts. By skillful maneuvering he engaged one and destroyed it. As he turned to get back to the lines five of the enemy dived on his tail and his observer engaged and destroyed two of them. After an indecisive combat with two others he attacked and destroyed one of the enemy which had overshot him. He continued the fight with the remainder until he was within twenty feet of the ground, when the enemy machines climbed and left him. He has recently destroyed ten enemy machines and has shown great courage and initiative." DSO citation, London Gazette, 5 July 1918

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