Wilfred Curtis Air Marshal Wilfred Austin " Wilf " Curtis , OC , CB , CBE , DSC & Bar , ED , CD ( 21 August 1893 – 14 August 1977 ) was a Canadian airman and Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal Canadian Air Force ( RCAF ) from 1947 until 1953 . Early years . He was born in Havelock , Ontario , having received his early education in Toronto . First World War . He then joined the infantry of the Canadian Army in 1915 ; he graduated on 11 August 1916 and joining the Royal Naval Air Service ( RNAS ) as a fighter pilot . In 1917 Curtis was promoted to Captain and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross ( United Kingdom ) ( DSC ) for his skill and courage . The award citation read : In 1918 , Curtis was awarded a Bar to the DSC . He proved his worth as a highly successful fighter pilot by shooting down 13 enemy aircraft confirmed ; his final tally was 4 enemy planes destroyed , 3 of which were shared victories ; also , he drove down 9 enemy planes out of control , one of which was shared . He transferred to the Royal Air Force ( RAF ) in April 1918 . Interwar years . On his return to Canada he maintained his interest in military as well as civil aviation . During the late 1920s and early 1930s , he served as an officer in the Toronto Scottish Regiment Reserve . For some time there were no available non - permanent military aviation positions . However , when the opportunity presented itself in 1933 , he became involved in the formation of No . 10 ( Army Co - operation ) Squadron . Curtis became Officer Commanding in 1935 and initiated experimental air operations in mid - northern Ontario . Second World War . Wing Commander Curtis was called to active duty in the RCAF on 1 September 1939 and became deputy air officer commanding , RCAF Overseas Headquarters in London in 1941 . He became a member of the Air Council in 1944 . Postwar years . The singular success that marks his air force career in wartime decisions was rewarded by his appointment in 1947 as Chief of the Air Staff . In this appointment he guided the RCAF through the difficult stages of reorganization which followed the war and through the expansion of Canada ' s participation in the Korean War and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ( NATO ) . He received French , American and Italian decorations in recognition of his contributions . He remained Chief of the Air Staff until his retirement in January 1953 . On his retirement from the RCAF he accepted the position of Vice - Chairman of Hawker Siddeley Canada , where he continued to have a substantial impact on the development of aviation in Canada . He always devoted time to other aviation concerns : was President of the RCAF Association for two years until he was appointed Grand President of that organization , founded and organized the Canadian National Air Show in 1939 and served as chairman of its scholarship fund and was appointed the Honorary Wing Commander of the No . 400 ( City of Toronto ) Squadron . Other interests included the chairmanship of the committee that formed York University , of which he was elected Chancellor in 1960 . He served as Chairman of the Canadian Opera Company and President of the Canadian Inter American Association . The Air Marshal had a great interest in the development of the Canadian aircraft industry . During his term of office , he continually and successfully directed his efforts to secure money for experimental work on and production of a jet trainer and twin engine fighters , the CF - 100 Canuck and the CF - 105 Arrow suitable for interception operations in the northern Canadian climate . Early in the Cold War , he convinced the cabinet that the RCAF should make a major contribution to NATO . This resulted in an air division of twelve F - 86 Sabre squadrons being dispatched to Europe . This major contribution of 300 front line aircraft was the principal air defense force on that continent during the 1950s . He had a great interest in the development of the Canadian aircraft industry . If there could be named a " Father of Canada ' s Post War Air Force " , Wilfred Curtis would be the outstanding nominee . Through his drive , interpersonal skills , sense of humor , compassionate understanding of aviation and effective leadership , the RCAF became a well - knit , effective and efficient fighting force . He materially contributed to the glorious saga of Canada ' s military and industrial aviation accomplishments .