John Letts (RAF officer)

Captain John Herbert Towne Letts MC was a British First World War flying ace credited with thirteen confirmed victories.

Early life
Letts was the sole child of Helen and Walter Letts of Steep Hill House, Lincoln. He went to Lancing College and later attended RMC Sandhurst before serving in the Lincolnshires. He then transferred to the predecessor of the RAF, the Royal Flying Corps.

Aerial service
It is not known when or where he became a pilot, but he flew with 27 Squadron in 1916. He transferred to 48 Squadron as it moved to the front in France. He was appointed a Flight Commander on 5 April 1917, after the squadron's first flight, in which William Leefe-Robinson was lost. In the afternoon of 9 April, flying a two-seater Bristol Fighter, Letts and his observer helped another British two-seater crewed by Alan Wilkinson and Laurence W. Allen to drive two German Albatros D.III fighters down out of control east of Arras for his first two victories.

Letts next changed to a Bristol F.2 Fighter and scored on 4 May 1917. A week later, he was shot down and slightly wounded in the course of winning his fourth victory. He promptly shot down two Albatros D.IIIs the following day to become an ace. He continued to amass victories, reaching thirteen by 15 September 1917. During this period, he was awarded the Military Cross on 16 August 1917.

Death
Letts was apparently withdrawn from action at some point after this. He returned to the front in 1918, being assigned to a Flight Commander's position on 64 Squadron, but on loan to 87 Squadron. On 11 October 1918, he took off in a Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a belonging to No. 32 Squadron RAF. It rolled in and crashed during the takeoff, killing Letts instantly. He is buried in grave VI. A. 30 in Bar-de-Sud British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

Awards and honors
Military Cross

2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) John Herbert Towne- Letts, Line. R. and R.F.C. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He attacked four large two-seaters, driving two down out of control and forcing; the remaining two down. He has helped to destroy eight machines, and throughout has set a splendid example.