105 Squadron flying the de Havilland Mosquito in the Pathfinder Force (PFF) that marked targets for destruction by following groups of heavy bombers.

He served on the United Kingdom's Air Ministry staff and as a liaison officer in the Pentagon to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Horton learned to fly in a de Havilland Gipsy Moth biplane at the Wairarapa & Ruahine Aero Club where he was selected in July 1937 for training as part of the civil reserve of pilots.

[4][5] Horton received additional flight training at Blenheim, in the Vickers Vildebeest, and then headed to England at the end of April 1940 aboard the SS Mataroa.

The squadron moved to RAF Swanton Morley in July 1941 where Horton transitioned to the Bristol Blenheim and flew more anti-ship patrols.

In 1942, Flight Lieutenant Horton was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his skill and bravery on anti-ship missions including the hazardous low-level attack on shipping at Rotterdam on 28 August 1941.

[5] Horton transitioned to the Douglas Boston and flew more anti-ship strikes from RAF Attlebridge northwest of Norwich, Norfolk, England.

[10] The squadron utilized precision navigation aids such as the "Oboe" system that allowed the Pathfinders to accurately mark targets despite the industrial haze and cloud cover that obscured the area by night.

[16] The squadron relocated in late 1952 to RAF Topcliffe and re-equipped with the Neptune MR.1 to perform North Atlantic Ocean maritime and anti-submarine patrols during the Cold War with the Eastern Bloc (the Soviet Union and its satellite states).

[18] Horton was promoted to RAF wing commander in 1956[19] and in 1964 was assigned to the staff of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Military Committee at the Pentagon in the United States.

[13] King George VI formally presented Horton with this honour at an investiture ceremony at the Court of St James's on 21 September 1945.

During a 2012 interview, he expressed a desire to visit a restored de Havilland Mosquito at the nearby Military Aviation Museum, but age had made travel increasingly difficult for him.