John Houlton

John Arthur Houlton
Nickname(s)	Johnnie
Born	(1922-09-23)23 September 1922 Christchurch, New Zealand
Died	16 April 1996(1996-04-16) (aged 73) Whangaparaoa, New Zealand
Allegiance	New Zealand
Service/branch	Royal New Zealand Air Force (1941–1955)
Rank	Squadron Leader
Battles/wars	Second World War Channel Front Siege of Malta Operation Overlord
Awards	Distinguished Flying Cross

John Arthur Houlton DFC (23 September 1922 – 16 April 1996) was a New Zealand flying ace of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) during the Second World War. He was credited with the destruction of at least five German aircraft.

Born in Christchurch, Houlton joined the RNZAF in June 1941 and, after completing training in New Zealand, was sent to England to serve with the Royal Air Force. After a brief period of service with No. 485 (NZ) Squadron, he volunteered to go to Malta as part of the island's aerial defence. He was based there from August to December 1942 before returning to Europe and No. 485 Squadron. He shot down a German bomber on the day of the Normandy landings, often considered to be the first German aircraft destroyed during the invasion of France. After the war he stayed in the RNZAF and later took up commercial flying. He died in 1996, aged 73.