A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Denny Wilson was one of 15 non-Jewish Canadian pilots to serve in the Israel Air Force during the War of Independence. He was with the 101 Squadron, the IAF’s only fighter squadron, in those hectic early days.
Flying Mark IX Spitfires, Denny was especially active during the 17 days of Operation “Horev,” when he downed two Egyptian fighter planes – a Fiat MC 205V and a Mark XVI Spitfire, both on December 31st 1948.
In World War II, Denny served as a Spitfire pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 411 Squadron, part of the 2nd Tactical Airforce in Europe. He was credited with notable success in raids on important enemy ground targets, and with downing several enemy aircraft. News about Denny, proudly read by the people of his city, frequently appeared in “The Hamilton Spectator.” When he returned in the spring of 1949, its front page carried a featured article headed: “Denny Wilson comes home from Israel.”
So popular was he in Hamilton that Denny was mobilized to address fund-raising meetings for Israel. At one point he was on a fund-raising tour in the company of Allan Bronfman of the well-known distilling conglomerate Seagram & Sons. Denny proved to be an effective and eloquent speaker but he was so involved in raising funds that he had little time to look for a permanent job. His personal charm and persuasive skills must have impressed Bronfman, as when Seagram’s acquired Thomas Adams Distillers, Denny became its marketing VP.
Denny’s participation in the War of Independence so affected him that he remained a loyal and outspoken supporter of Israel for the rest of his days. His fellow 101 Squadron fighter pilots, among them President Ezer Weizman, and indeed all the IAF veterans who had the pleasure of knowing him, always fondly remembered Denny Wilson as a warm and witty person with an ever-ready friendly smile, as well as being a very skilled pilot.
Source: American Veterans of Israel Newsletter: Spring 2000