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Junius Lyman Edward Hokan was an extraordinary man of many talents. Throughout his short life, he achieved many significant victories for Canada, other pilots, and the Allied Forces. Not only was Hokan an amazing pilot, but he was also believed to be the first of two Black Canadians in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. Additionally, he invented a navigational device to help bombers position their locations. During his time in the air force, he demonstrated to fellow pilots that Black Canadians could be capable and exceptional pilots during a time of racial discrimination. Described by British ace pilot Johnnie Johnson as “a keen and reliable leader who, with more experience, will make an excellent flight commander,” Junius Lyman Edward Hokan was an exceptional RCAF pilot. From his early beginnings in St. Catharines, Ontario, Hokan had patriotism for his country in his blood. His Hawaiian father had served in the Canadian Field Artillery during the First World War. When Hokan was 18 and as the Second World War was raging, he enlisted as a pilot for the RCAF. The officer conducting Hokan's enlistment knew he was Black but still enlisted him. Although his s.ource of inspiration was never confirmed, Hokan was most likely enlisted to follow his father’s footsteps and support his country in the war aid. Hokan trained at many military schools throughout Canada to receive his pilot's license. As an established fighter pilot, Hokan was part of two air squadrons: No. 610 Squadron in the RAF and 401 Squadron in the RCAF. Sadly, in September of 1942, in extreme weather conditions, Hokan and his plane lost control in the English Channel and were never to be seen again. Today, Hokan’s legacy is remembered in many ways, such as being in the Runnymede Memorial.
On March 4th, 1922, Junius Lyman Edward Hokan was born in St. Catharines, Ontario. He was the only child of Kauri Lyman Hokan and Ella Grace Bollen. His father, Kauri, was born in Hawaii and excelled at playing the Hawaiian guitar, or the “kīkākila”. Kauri was a Great War veteran who served in the Canadian Field Artillery and was a part of the 14th Battery Field Artillery. With the 14th Battery Field Artillery, he travelled to France and fought many battles alongside other Canadian Corps of the military. After the war, he worked as a local postman. Junius’ mother, Ella Grace Bollen, was from Guelph, Ontario and took care of their family home in St. Catharines. Because of the time period and the rural location of St. Catharines, not much is known about Junius’ early life and schooling. However, we do know that after finishing grade school in St. Catharines, he developed the nickname “Lymie” because of his middle name. As a teenager he attended and studied at St. Catherine’s Collegiate Institute and Vocational School, where teachers praised his “exceptional aptitude” in drafting and graphical representation of structures, machines, and their component parts. He also attended night school, where he studied aerodynamics and flight. He graduated in 1939 with high honours in all subjects; he then went to work as a draftsman for Foster Wheeler Ltd., engineers and fabricators of boilers, industrial steam generators, and heat transfer equipment. Then, in late 1939, World War II started, and Junius’ life would be changed remarkably.
In 1939, the Nazi Party of Germany invaded the peaceful country of Poland, creating uprisings among other countries and sparking a world war. In this time period, millions of men aged between 17 and 45 were enlisted to help defend their country from the Nazis. Oftentimes, when eligible men did not enlist, they were frowned upon as members of society not fighting to save democracy. Also, the military had many other opportunities at the time, such as pay, education, and opportunities to meet friends and create partnerships. In 1939, at age 18, Junius Hokan enlisted in the air force while in Niagara Falls. Although his reason and inspiration for joining are undisclosed, it was most likely so he could either follow his father’s footsteps by serving or because of the pressure mounting on young men his age. At this time RCAF policies were that enlistment was limited to those of “pure European descent.” However, it seems that some recruiting officers ignored these policies. The officer conducting Hokan’s enlistment knew he was Black but still let him through. Hokan initiated training at No. 1 Initial Training School in Toronto, where he learned the basics of flight. He then completed initial pilot training at No. 9 Elementary Flying Training School in St. Catharines and advanced military flying at No. 2 Service Flying Training School at Uplands, a training center in Ontario. Instructors rated him above average on all tests and praised him for being, “smooth on the controls. Instruments and aerobatics are good.” On August 8, 1942, he graduated from training, received his pilot wings, and was commissioned as a flying officer for his high course rating. After graduating, he was sent overseas to join the RAF. Hokan was commissioned to No. 610 Squadron as a part of the RAF. Although it was a RAF squadron, it had pilots from Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Norway, and Rhodesia. The squadron flew the Spitfire Mk. Vb on intruder missions in Germany. The squadron was led by famed British ace pilot, Johnnie Johnson. While serving in the squadron, Hokan faced much action in the air.
“Hokey,” as his squadron members referred to him, faced many action moments, where his swift flying and shooting helped him destroy Nazi planes. On April 27, while on a dawn patrol with another pilot, they shot down a German Junkers Ju 88 off the coast of Lowestowe, England. He and three other pilots shot down a Dornier Do 217 on May 15. After both small victories, he was interviewed by Canadian presses, and his story was published. After Flying Officer Hokan shot down another Ju 88 in East Yarmouth, England, he proved that he was a capable pilot and could lead operations. On Wednesday August 19, 1942, Canadian soldiers attempted to raid and free Dieppe, France, from Nazi rule. No. 610 squadron flew to aid the soldiers on the ground. When approaching Dieppe, they encountered German planes and a large air melee began. Squadron leader Johnson described that “we thought of nothing but evasion and staying alive.” Junius attacked a Focke-Wulf Fw 190, knocking off a large section of its tail. However, before he could do more damage, he came under attack from another Fw 190 that destroyed most of the tail of his Spitfire in turn. Hokan suffered no injuries and returned to England. In September of 1942, Hokan engaged in many sorties and missions with fellow RCAF Squadron 401. On September 26, 1942, Hokan was involved in an operation with squadrons 401, 133, and 64 to escort 36 Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses during an attack on Morlaix, France. However, unexpected winds with speeds of up to 160 km/h disrupted the assignment greatly, and the aircraft were forced to retreat. On the flight back to England, 15 aircraft were lost, including Hokan’s Spitfire. 60 kilometres before the English coast, Hokan radioed in saying, “Out of petrol, bailing out, so long boys, will see you tomorrow” and was never seen again. After other pilots in his squadron could not locate the crash, they presumed him dead at age 20 in the English Channel. There are many ways to remember Junius' legacy today. While serving in Britain, Junius presented to the RAF's Director of Operational Requirements a detailed set of drawings for a position-fixing device for navigators in bomber planes. He named the invention a Spherant; the government was interested in the idea and considered transferring him to a research position. However, he remained as a pilot. Although the design was promising and showed potential, the Sphernat was not used because he could not acquire the correct materials to make it function. Junius’ achievements have been recognized in many ways in present time. Firstly, he was acknowledged in the Runnymede memorial, panel 99 in Surrey, England, along with more than 100,000 others who sacrificed their lives for service to their country. He is also commemorated on page 82 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance along with 120,000 others who fought and sacrificed for king and country. In addition, he was memorialized in the reredos or chapel wall at St. George's RAF Chapel of Remembrance, Biggin Hill, England. Lastly, the great RCAF officer is remembered as a part of the St. Catherine's roll of honour at City Hall, St. Catherine's, Ontario.
Junius Hokan was a prodigious man of many different aptitudes. He not only was the first Black Canadian in the Royal Canadian Air Force but also was a phenomenal and successful fighter pilot and an engineer of a navigation device. From growing up as an only child of a war veteran in St. Catharines, he excelled in school and enlisted to fight in World War II at age 18. He passed all military flight tests with flying colours and was sent overseas to England. During his time in No. 610 Squadron, RAF, and 401 Squadron, RCAF, he destroyed many Nazi planes, among other pilots aiding Canada and the Allied Forces. Although having died in the English Channel after his plane crashed, he is commemorated and memorialized in many places, such as the Runnymede Memorial, the Second World War Book of Remembrance, his name in the St. Catharine's roll of honour at City Hall, and being on the reredos at St. George's RAF Chapel of Remembrance in Biggin Hill. Junius Hokan was ascribed one full aircraft destroyed, 1/2 of another and 1/4 of a third, plus one damaged at the raid in Dieppe. However, his legacy and potential were more considerable than the statistics showed. Famed British pilot Johnnie Johnson once described him as “a keen and reliable leader who, with more experience, will make an excellent flight commander.” “Hokey” also showed promise and capability when developing the possible useful navigational device, the Spherant, that raised the heads of high-level members of the RAF. Most importantly, in a time of racial prejudice, he showed fellow pilots and the rest of the world that Black Canadians were no different than anyone else and that they were as proficient and successful as any white pilot. In conclusion, Flying Officer Junius Lyman Edward Hokan was a prominent and exceptional Black Canadian fighter pilot.
