About E. Graham Joy
Lived 1888 – 1993 (aged 104). E. Graham Joy was an American flying ace.
Major Ernst Grahame Joy (2 November 1888 – 21 June 1993) was an American-born Canadian who became a flying ace during the First World War, credited with eight aerial victories. He had set aside his law studies and family obligations to join the Canadian Expeditionary Force, then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. While he left military service after World War I to practice law, he would return to the colours for World War II.
Early life Ernst Grahame Joy was born in Anniston, Alabama, USA on 2 November 1888. He was the son of Jean Hannah Grahame and Harold Holt Joy.
He was a third year law student in Osgoode Hall Law School's Class of 1916 in Toronto when he enlisted into the 74th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 1 July 1915. On his enlistment forms, he claimed to be married. Because of five years previous experience in the Canadian military, he was accepted at the rank of major. His oath of allegiance to King George V denoted him as a naturalized Canadian citizen, as an American could not swear such an oath without losing his citizenship. On 9 May 1917, he was posted to No. 49 Squadron, but soon moved on to No. 23 Squadron. In June or July 1917, he was assigned to No. 57 Squadron as a bomber pilot. He scored seven victories for them in July and August 1917, before going to No. 205 Squadron. On 1 September 1917, he was appointed a flight commander. He scored once more, on 4 November 1918, a week before the armistice.
List of aerial victories +Combat record and he also relinquished his commission. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1919, though no details of the award are available. There also is no record of his discharge date from the military; however, he returned to Canada and practiced law.
Joy served with the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II.
He died in Toronto, Ontario on 21 June 1993.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in E. Graham Joy's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped E. Graham Joy's
Frequently asked questions
Who was E. Graham Joy?
Canadian flying ace (1888-1993)
When was E. Graham Joy born?
E. Graham Joy was born on 2 November 1888 in Anniston.
When did E. Graham Joy die?
E. Graham Joy died on 21 June 1993 in Toronto.
What was E. Graham Joy's occupation?
E. Graham Joy was a flying ace.
What nationality was E. Graham Joy?
E. Graham Joy was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). E. Graham Joy. https://biography.guide/e-graham-joy/
MLA: "E. Graham Joy." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/e-graham-joy/.
Chicago: "E. Graham Joy." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/e-graham-joy/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:14 UTC