Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

12th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
On 6 June 1944 during the invasion of France, Lieutenant (now Captain) Hair, 12 Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery was acting in the capacity of Regimental Survey Officer. He landed at Courseulles-sur-Mer at approximately 0815 hours with the unit reconnaissance party immediately after the assaulting companies of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. The beach exits having been blocked by the enemy, it was decided to deploy the guns on the water's edge. This necessitated reconnaissance and survey under the fire of enemy machine guns and mortars. Lieutenant Hair set up his instruments on the sand dunes in full view of the enemy and had his survey completed by 0900 hours when the guns arrived. The determination and coolness of Lieutenant William Patrick Hair during this most important phase of the invasion and in the subsequent positions in the beach head were important factors in producing the quick and accurate artillery support required by 7 Canadian Infantry Brigade in the capture and retention of its objective.

With vermilion star.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

12th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
On the 17 February 1945 Captain Hair was acting as a Forward Observation Officer with "A" Company, 1 Battalion, the Canadian Scottish Regiment in the attack on Heseln Field near Calcar, Germany. During the attack the platoon commander and Sergeant of a forward platoon became casualties and the platoon began to falter. Seeing this, Captain Hair, with complete disregard for his own safety, took over command, reorganized the platoon on its objective and completed the consolidation. In the ensuing grim and bitter fighting he not only carried out his artillery duties but fought the badly depleted platoon as well.
Later he took over the duties of the artillery representative at Battalion Headquarters, his predecessor having been killed, and in the performance of which his advice was invaluable to the Commanding Officer. On three occasions, despite savage enemy counter-attacks, he made trips up the for forward defended localities to satisfy himself that the defensive fire tasks adequately covered all possible lines of approach to the enemy. His presence on these occasions was a source of great inspiration and an example to the now battle-weary men. Captain Hair displayed a personal courage and a devotion to duty on this day that was above and beyond the normal call and his actions were worthy of the highest traditions of the Royal Canadian Artillery and the Canadian Army.