Forman transferred into the
Royal Naval Air Service and underwent pilot's training. His initial assignment was to
6 Naval Squadron, where he scored his first aerial victory on 27 July 1917. He was wounded in action the following day, then transferred into
1 Naval Squadron and remained with it during its transition into 201 Squadron Royal Air Force, scoring seven victories along the way. On 21 May 1918 Lieutenant J. H. Forman promoted to temporary captain. On 2 July 1918, Forman was awarded the
Distinguished Flying Cross by his king. On 7 August 1918, the DFC was officially gazetted: Forman was reassigned to 70 Squadron as a
Flight Commander. He scored one victory while leading a flight for his new unit. Then, on 4 September 1918, Forman was flying one of a dozen Sopwith Camels that engaged German fliers from
Jagdgeschwader III. The German opponents included aces
Bruno Loerzer and
Otto Fruhner. Forman was one of eight pilots downed by the Germans in the largest single loss of Camels during the war. ==Post World War I==