Arthur Whealy Arthur Treloar Whealy DSC & Bar DFC ( 2 November 1895 – 23 December 1945 ) was a Canadian First World War flying ace , officially credited with 27 victories . Background . Whealy was a medical student at the University of Toronto before World War I . He learned to fly at his own expense at the Curtiss Flying School , the first flying school in the United States , founded by Glenn Curtiss . Involvement with World War I . Whealy was commissioned on 29 February 1916 . On 24 August 1916 that he was posted to 3 Wing . He served with both 3 Naval Squadron and 9 Naval Squadron within that wing . He did not achieve his first victory until 12 April 1917 . He flew his Sopwith Pup to three victories as a pilot of 3 Squadron . Then , on 9 May , he scored for the first time with 9 Squadron ; he was still flying a Pup . He became an ace on 7 July . 9 Naval re - equipped with Sopwith Triplane s . Whealy first scored with his new aircraft on 29 July 1917 , knocking one Albatros D . V down out of control and destroying another one in flames within the hour . He then switched to the Sopwith Camel back in 3 Naval . He scored once more in 1917 , on 5 September , sending another D . V down without certifying its destruction . After a five month lapse , Whealy achieved his ninth credited victory on 17 February 1918 . He followed that up with five claims in March , including the capture of an Albatross D . V . He added three further victories in April , six in May , and a single tally in June , on the 7th , running his total to 24 . After a six week lull , he scored his final three victories within two weeks , on 22 and 27 August , and on 4 September . On 24 September , he was posted to Home Establishment . His final record comprised 9 enemy airplanes destroyed by himself , three destroyed in conjunction with other pilots , ten down out of control by himself , two shared out of control victories , and one enemy plane captured . Text of citations . Distinguished Service Cross . " Flt . Lieut . Arthur Treloar Whealy , R . N . A . S . For the most consistent determination , bravery and skill with which he has carried out numerous low flying harassing attacks on the enemy ' s troops , transports , etc . , inflicting heavy casualties and damage . By his splendid example and gallantry a great many hostile . operations were hampered and frustrated . He has further brought down many enemy machines . " Distinguished Service Cross - Bar . " Lieut . ( Hon . Capt . ) Arthur Treloar Whealy , D . S . C . , R . A . F . For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty . He has proved himself to be a brilliant fighting pilot . Under his able and determined leadership his flight has engaged and accounted for many enemy machines , he himself being personally responsible for many of these . " Distinguished Flying Cross . " Lieut . ( A . / Capt . ) Arthur Treloar Whealey , D . S . C . ( FRANCE ) This officer has shown a very high standard of efficiency . Untiring , and full of initiative , he sets a fine example to the younger pilots . During the recent advance he has carried out daring reconnaissances at very low altitudes , invariably bringing back valuable information . He is a bold fighter in the air , having accounted for five enemy machines . "