These profiles and stories were donated to the RAAF Museum by the Gold Coast Branch of the Air Crew Association.

Service Profile: Sam Jordan

John Cyril (Sam) Jordan AO (ACA 17944) entered the Aircrew Reserve in 1941 and joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942, training as a Wireless Navigator (Nav W). Sam served continuously until 1979.

During his Air Force career, he flew in Avro Ansons, Wellingtons, Lancasters, Mosquitos, Dakotas, Hastings, Beverleys, Hudsons, Canberras, Iroquois, Vampires, Vikings, Vulcans, Valettas, Javelins and Valiants.

His aircrew training schools and flying units included Bradfield Park, Somers, Narrandera, Mount Gambier, Williamtown, Shawbury, School of Air Navigation (SAN), 87 Squadron, 82 Wing and RAF 82 Squadron.

Sam saw active service in the South-West Pacific, Malaya and Singapore.

During his long service career,he occupied many flying appointments which embraced Flight Commander 87 Squadron, RAF AWS, Commanding Officer SAN, Wing Navigation Officer 82 Wing, Officer Commanding RAAF Fairbairn, and Commandant RAAF Staff College. He was also an RAF A1 Category Navigator Instructor.

Prior to his retirement in 1979, Sam had attained the rank of Air Vice Marshal, his final appointment being that of Assistant Chief of Defence Force Staff. Earlier, he had been Air Member for Personnel and Chief of Joint Operations and Plans.

In 1976, Sam's valuable and valued service was recognised when he was appointed as an Officer in the Order of Australia.

Sam was later (1982–84) Chief Project Officer managing the establishment of the Australian Defence Force Academy. From 1984 to 1987 he was the Defence Force Ombudsman.