By Amy Fedeski, FSWC Educator

Born in Montreal on October 22, 1915, Sydney Shulemson was the grandson of Jewish immigrants from Romania. While his family ran a dry-cleaning business, Shulemson decided to pursue studies at McGill University in Engineering. When World War II broke out in 1939, he abandoned his degree to enlist in the Royal Canadian Air Force; one of more than 16,000 Jewish Canadians to join the military between 1939 and 1945.

After pilot training in Ontario and Prince Edward Island, Shulemson earned his wings in 1942 and was assigned to No. 404 Squadron in Scotland, where he flew missions targeting enemy ships off the coast of Western Europe.

Shulemson used his engineering background to help develop the “ship buster” rocket technique, dramatically increasing the effectiveness of air attacks on naval targets. Over the course of 50 missions, he was credited with destroying at least 12 German vessels — though he claimed a “lucky 13.”

Known for his charisma and leadership, Shulemson was admired by his squadron mates.  “The guys on my squadron would follow me into hell and back, “he stated. “They had a lot of faith in what I could do.” Indeed, his exceptional skill and courage earned him the Distinguished Service Order in 1944 and the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1945. Despite his impressive combat record, he never rose above the rank of Flying Officer, which some attribute to antisemitic bias.

Shulemson’s wartime heroism was celebrated in a Jewish war heroes comic book series published by the Canadian Jewish Congress. Following the war, he played a key role in secretly helping to establish Israel’s air force by locating aircraft and recruiting experienced pilots.

Shulemson married for the first time at age 74 and died in Florida in 2007, leaving behind two sons and five grandchildren. He remains Canada’s most highly decorated Jewish serviceman of WWII, a fearless pilot whose legacy continues to inspire.

More information: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/people-and-stories/sydney-shulemson

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