John Hudock was born in Lansford, Pa in 1922. He was second youngest in a family 9 (6 boys & 3 girls) children by Mary and John Hudock.

John moved to Allentown. Pa in 1926 with his family . He played football for Allentown High School. Before the United States joined the fight in World War II, John went to Canada and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in June 1940. After schooling in navigation and bombing and gunnery he was sent to England to assist the English fend off the German onslaught during the Battle of Britain. He and his Canadian squadron conducted many bombing raids over Germany. John was wounded in one of those early raids and hospitalized.

Upon rejoining his squad he was among the Canadians invited to the Windsor castle where he and his fellow flyers were entertained by King George and the queen. During the evening the King offered John a cigarette and lit it for him. Later he spoke for some time to Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth. Elizabeth was particularly interested in learning about America from him. John wrote to his family about the great difficulties during the numerous bombing raids over France and Germany. These were reported in the Allentown paper. John also participated in three broadcasts to the US from England explaining to the Americans the action in the war over England. John was due home for a 30 day furlough when his family got word from the Canadian officials that he was “missing in air operations” on July 28, 1942. As recently as 1986, upon receipt of a query from John’s Niece, Corinne Cazer, the now queen of England, Elizabeth, recalled her meeting with John at Windsor castle.

John J. Hudock; Born in Lansford, Pa.; Died on July 28, 1942 over the English channel defending freedom against the nazi tyranny.