Raymond Myles Beecham Duke-Woolley | American Air Museum in Britain

Wing Commander R M B Duke-Woolley. RAF and 4th Fighter Group.

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Wing Commander Raymond Duke-Wooley (centre), who led the Debden Wing, remained to lead the 4th Fighter Group while it gained experience. With him are Lt. Stanley M. Anderson (left) and Lt. W. Brewster Morgan.

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Wing Commander Raymond MB "The Dook" Duke-Woolley DFC*, DSO, DFC[US], 1939-45 Star, 1939-45 War Medal, Defense Medal. Leader of the Debden wing [Eagles] and 4th FG 8th AF USAAF. Pictured at time of presentation of US DFC.

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Took command of Debden Wing [3 x Eagle Sqn]
Transferred to command 4th FG USAAF as an RAF officer, 12 September 1942 — December 1942. RAF Squadron Leader with temporary rank of Wing Commander placed in operational command of the 4th Fighter Group at the time of its transfer to the USAAF. Was the first British pilot to be awarded the American Distinguished Flying Cross.
Post 4th Fighter Group:
Eventually attained the rank of Group Captain
Decorations:
Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross (with Bar, British), Distinguished Flying Cross (American), 1939-45 Star, 1939-45 War Medal, Defense Medal.

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Service

Units served with

VIII Bomber Command

Command
VIII Bomber Command was constituted and activated in 1942. It oversaw heavy bombardment operations until February 1944, when it was redesginated as the 8th Air Force.
4th Fighter Group

Group
Some of the pilots of the 4th Fighter Group had seen many hours of combat by the time they joined the 4th Fighter Group as they had volunteered with the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Royal Air Force. The three 'Eagle Squadrons' of RAF Fighter...
No 71 'Eagle' Squadron

Squadron
'On 19 September 1940, No. 71 was reformed at Church Fenton as the first 'Eagle' Squadron to be manned by American personnel. The Squadron received Hurricanes in November and became operational on defensive duties on 5 February 1941. No. 71 converted...
No 121 'Eagle' Squadron

Squadron
'On 14 May 1941, No. 121 was reformed at Kirton-in-Lindsey as the second 'Eagle' Squadron to be manned by American volunteers. Equipped with Hurricanes, it began defensive patrols in October but in November it converted to Spitfires. It moved to North...
No 133 'Eagle' Squadron

Squadron
'On 1 August 1941, No. 133 reformed at Coltishall as the third 'Eagle' Squadron manned by American personnel. Equipped with Hurricanes it became operational at the end of September. The next month the Squadron moved to Northern Ireland, returning to...
Headquarters (4th Fighter Group)

Headquarters
The Headquarters Squadron was made up of true leaders. Most had flown Hurricanes, Spitfires, Thunderbolts and Mustangs. ...

Aircraft

EN915

Spitfire
Spitfire Mk Vb EN915 was built at the Vickers-Armstrong aircraft factory, Castle Bromwich, and delivered to the RAF at 37 Maintenance Unit, Burtonwood, on 17 May 1942. It was issued to 154 Squadron at Hornchurch on 12 June 1942. During its time with...
BM582

Spitfire
Supermarine Spitfire BM582 Mk Vb, Built at Castle Bromwich Aircraft Factory. ...

Missions

VIII Fighter Command

19 August 1942
31st Fighter Group despatches 123 Spitfires in support of the landings at Dieppe, France. 8 are lost. These are the first operations of VIII Fighter Command units under VIII Fighter Command control. ...
VIII Bomber Command 6

27 August 1942
97BG despatches 9 B-17s to bomb the shipyards at Rotterdam, Holland.
VIII Fighter Command

29 August 1942
31FG despatches 36 Spitfires to patrol along the French coast; 1FG despatches 2 P-38s on a fighter intercept on enemy raiders. First use of P-38s by 8th AF in the ETO.
VIII Fighter Command

2 October 1942
1FG despatches 31 P-38s to escort bombers attacking the aircraft factory at Meaulte, France, sustaining one loss. 1FG also despatches 34 Spitfires on a sweep over the English Channel; 52FG despatches 7 Spitfires on a sweep over the English Channel; 4FG...

Associated Place

Biggin Hill

Military site : airfield
An RAF Station with US lodger units. USAAF Spitfires and P-38s were attached to RAF No 11 Group stations in mid-1942 for training; also used for special operations by British and US forces.
Debden

Military site : airfield
RAF Debden, construction of which began in 1935, is perhaps most famous as a Battle of Britain fighter airfield, partly responsible for the defence of London in 1940. In 1942 it was also home to three RAF 'Eagle Squadrons’ of volunteer American pilots...
Kirton-in-Lindsey

Military site : airfield
Used as an RFC and RAF Home Defence landing ground during the First World War, Kirton-in-Lindsey was built during 1938-40 as an RAF fighter station. It had two grass runways, 10 hardstandings, three grouped C hangars and four over-blister hangars....
Martlesham Heath

Military site : airfield
Opened in 1917 as home to the RFC Aeroplane Experimental Unit, Martlesham Heath became well known during the 1920s-30s as home to the Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment. Used as an RAF fighter station from 1939, with only a grass airfield...

Events

Event	Location	Date
Born	Manchester, England	16 October 1916
Born 16 October 1916 Manchester, England.
Educated	Marlborough College, Bath Rd, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 1PA, UK	1934
Educated Marlborough College.
RAF Educated	RAF Cranwell, 10 Cranwell Ave, Cranwell Village, Sleaford, Lincolnshire NG34 8HG, UK	1935 – 1936
RAF College Cranwell 1935-36.
Assigned	Northolt, Greater London, UK	1936
Assigned to 23 Sqn 1936.
E/A Kill		18 June 1940 – 19 June 1940
2nd recorded night kill, claimed He111 E/A kill in Blenheim NF whilst 23 Sqn B Fl Commander 18/19 June 1940.
Transferred	Kenley, Greater London, UK	12 September 1940
Transferred to 253 Sqn 12th Sept 1940.
E/A Probable		15 September 1940
Probable Do17 15th Sept 1940.
E/A Shared		6 October 1940
Shared Do17 6th Oct 1940.
E/A Damaged		21 October 1940
Damaged Ju88 21st Oct 1940.
E/A Destroyed		9 November 1940
Destroyed Ju88 9th Nov 1940.
1 x E/A Damaged, 1 x Shared		22 November 1940
Shared and damaged Do17 22nd Nov 1940.
Awarded DFC	Kenley, Greater London, UK	24 December 1940
Citation: "This officer has commanded his squadron since September, 1940, and his fine leadership and personal example have contributed materially to the many successes obtained. He has destroyed at least three enemy aircraft and damaged several more"
Rested from Op's	Digby, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN4, UK	January 1941
Rested from Op's 12 Grp HQ, Digby Jan 1941.
Formed 124 Sqn	Castletown, Thurso, Highland KW14, UK	May 1941 – June 1942
Formed 124 Sqn Castletown, May 1941, led same till June 1942.
E/A Kill		7 December 1941
Destroyed Ju88 7th Dec 1941.
Awarded Bar to DFC	Castletown, Thurso, Highland KW14, UK	29 May 1942
Citation: "This officer has participated in many sorties over Northern France and the English Channel. He is a cool and capable leader whose skill is reflected in the high standard of efficiency in his squadron. He has destroyed at least 7 enemy aircraft." Second DFC received in the form of a bar to be worn on the ribbon of the first DFC.
Took command of Wing	Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK	June 1942
Took command of Debden Wing [3 x Eagle Sqn] June 42 Wing Ldr.
Dieppe Veteran	Dieppe, France	19 August 1942
Flew 4 x sorties with 71 [Eagle]Sqn leading the wing over Dieppe on Operation Jubilee 19th Aug 42.
E/A Kill		27 August 1942
Fw190 Destroyed 27th Aug 42.
E/A Probable		29 August 1942
Fw190 Probable 29th Aug 42.
Transferred	Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK	12 September 1942 – December 1942
Transferred to command 4th FG USAAF as an RAF officer, Debden wing.
E/A Shared		2 October 1942
Fw190 shared 2nd Oct 42.
Transferred	Great Britain, United Kingdom	January 1943 – July 1943
Transferred to 8th US Bomber Command as fighter liaison officer.
Awarded DSO	Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK	8 January 1943
Citation: "By his outstanding, leadership and untiring efforts, Wing Commander Duke-Woolley has contributed much to the successes attained by his Wing. Since June, 1942, he has led his formation in many raids over enemy occupied territory, in the course of which 28 enemy aircraft were destroyed. Wing Commander Duke-Woolley has completed successfully a large number of operational sorties and has displayed outstanding qualities of airmanship and tactical skill. He has destroyed at least 10 enemy aircraft."
Awarded DFC [US]	Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK	5 March 1943
Granted permission to wear the decoration DFC US March 5th, 1943.
Transferred		July 1943 – January 1945
Set up mobile command for 84 Grp 2nd TAF, thereafter to Normandy with same as 2nd IC. July 43.
Instructor	Turkey	1945 – 1948
To Turkey instructor air war college. Wars end to 1948.
Instructor	Bulstrode, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SL9 8SZ, UK	January 1945
To RAF Staff college as instructor. Jan 45.
Re-promoted Wing Co	Acklington, Morpeth, Northumberland NE65, UK	1948 – 1950
Re-promoted Wing Commander, commanded RAF Aklington 1948-50.
Instructor	Bracknell, Bracknell Forest, UK	1951
To RAF Staff college instructor 1951.
Commanded RAF Debden	Debden, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11, UK	1951 – 1953
Commanded RAF Debden 1951-53.
Posted overseas	United States	1953 – 1956
Posted to USA 1953-56.
Promoted		1954
Promoted Group Captain 1954.
Transferred	United Kingdom	1956 – 1958
Transferred to Fighter command 1956-58.
Post RAF Career	London, UK	1961 – 1971
Worked for Life Insurance Co till retirement.
Retired RAF	England, UK	30 January 1961
Retired RAF 1961.
Parliamentary Role	Houses of Parliament, House of Lords, Parliament Square, Westminster, London SW1A 0PW, UK	1973 – 1979
Served as 'Black Rod' in the House Of Lords.
Died	Chichester, Chichester, West Sussex, UK	10 October 1991
10th October 1991 Chichester, England.

Date	Contributor	Update
16 November 2021 19:38:44	Al_Skiff	Changes to events and unit associations
Sources
https://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Duke-Woolley.htm http://www.4thfightergroupassociation.org/uploads/8/2/0/3/8203817/hq_duk...
Date	Contributor	Update
27 July 2016 12:29:36	general ira snapsorter	Changes to media associations
Sources
Merged with duplicate entry to include details from: - the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia ; http://www.4thfightergroupassociation.org/pilots.html
Date	Contributor	Update
25 February 2016 10:40:00	Al_Skiff	Changes to unit associations and place associations
Sources
Men of The Battle of Britain: A Biographical Dictionary of The Few By Kenneth G. Wynn Aces High: A Tribute to the Most Notable Fighter Pilots of the ..., Volume 2 By Christopher Shores, Clive Williams http://en.ww2awards.com/person/48764
Date	Contributor	Update
24 September 2015 23:30:21	Al_Skiff	Changes to middlename, nickname, biography, events, unit associations and mission associations
Sources
Men of The Battle of Britain: A Biographical Dictionary of The Few By Kenneth G. Wynn Aces High: A Tribute to the Most Notable Fighter Pilots of the ..., Volume 2 By Christopher Shores, Clive Williams http://en.ww2awards.com/person/48764
Date	Contributor	Update
24 September 2015 17:09:51	Al_Skiff	Changes to surname, middlename, nickname, nationality, service number, role, biography, awards, events, unit associations, place associations and aircraft associations
Sources
http://www.4thfightergroupassociation.org/uploads/8/2/0/3/8203817/hq_duk...
Date	Contributor	Update
27 September 2014 18:22:01	AAM	AAM ingest
Sources
Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia