James Pickering
John Joseph Lynch jr., an American from Alhambra, California, joined the RAF in July 1941 as a Pilot Officer.
In 1943 while CO of the RAF 249th Fighter Squadron (Spitfires) stationed on Malta, now Squadron Leader Lynch won an RAF sweepstake prize of 129 pounds sterling by shooting down the 100th enemy airplane (a German Ju-52 transport off the coast of Sicily) by a Malta based RAF Pilot. The sweepstake prize was put up by contributions from RAF personnel stationed on Malta.
The 249th was originally formed as a Spitfire squadron in May 1940, then participated in the Battle of Britain as a Hurricane squadron, subsequently switching back to Spitfires in 1942 when it was assigned to Malta -- thereafter participating in the Italian and Yugoslavian campaigns.
Originally assigned to the 71st RAF Eagle (American Volunteer) Squadron, S/L Lynch is listed as both a British and American WW2 Ace with 13 recorded kills (1 with the 71st). He was awarded the British Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC).
WW2 (Malta) Biography of John J. Lynch including photographs