He was the first pilot to shoot down a German Focke-Wulf 190 fighter plane before being shot down himself and taken prisoner on 12 February 1942. After being a guest of the Nazis at Stalag Luft III, he was repatriated to the United Kingdom at the war's end. In 1946, Lévesque re-enlisted with the RCAF. For a while, he flew C-47 Dakota then was posted to 410 Squadron in Saint-Hubert, flying Vampire jet fighter planes in the Blue Devils aerobatic team.

Levesque remained in the RCAF and in November 1950 he was sent to Korea on an exchange posting with the USAF. He was the first Canadian pilot to shoot down a Chinese Communist MiG 15 fighter thus bringing his total victories in aerial combat to 5, becoming an 'ace'. Squadron Leader J.A.O. "Omer" Levesque was awarded the USAF DFC and USAF Air Medal.

Born: 21 May 1920, Mont Joli, QC
Died: 2 June 2006
Awards: DFC, USAF Air Medal