Date of birth:

May 15th, 1919 (Springfield/Nova Scotia, Canada)

Date of death:

January 15th, 1971

Buried on:

Brookwood Military Cemetery

Service number:

J4745

Nationality:

Canadian

Before to the war Buck McNair was employed as a ground wireless operator to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Natural Resources. He enrolled in the RCAF in June 1940 in the program for fighter pilots and received his wings in March 1941.
He was posted at the newly formated No. 411 Squadron. On September 27th, 1941 he damaged a Me109 over Abbeville, France. A few weeks later, on October 13th he made his first 'kill' over a Me109.
He transferred to Malta where he destroyed five enemy aircraft and damaged eight others and scored several more hits during a fierce air battle in his Spitfire over Dieppe. McNair became Squadron Leader in September 1942 of 416 Squadron and then 421 Squadron and managed to add eight more victories to his name as well.
Following the war McNair stayed in the RCAF as they had a need for experienced senior officers.
McNair's courage and bravery exhibited in WWII carried through to his civil service when in 1953, the North Star aircraft on which he was traveling as Senior Officer crashed at Sea Island, British Columbia. Although injured and soaked in gasoline, he managed to rescue and account for all passengers and crew members.He was subsequently awarded the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct.
Further, on October 23th, 1953 he was awarded the Queen's Coronation Medal while Air Attache in Tokyo.
Promoted to Group Captain, a number of postings followed in Canada, the UK and Germany. While still an officer in the RCAF he contracted leukemia in the late 1960's from which he died of in 1971

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Pilot Officer

Unit:

No. 249 (Gold Coast) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

May 21st, 1942

Citation:
"This officer is a skilful and courageous pilot. he invariably presses home his attacks with the greatest determination irrespective of odds. He has destroyed at least five and damaged seven enemy aircraft. Four of these he damaged in one combat."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Squadron Leader

Unit:

No. 421 (Red Indian) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force

Awarded on:

July 30th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Squadron Leader

Unit:

No. 421 (Red Indian) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force

Awarded on:

October 26th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Wing Commander

Awarded on:

April 14th, 1944

Citation:
"Since being awarded a second Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross, Wing Commander McNair has completed many further operational sorties and destroyed another enemy aircraft, bringing his total victories to at least sixteen enemy aircraft destroyed and many others damaged. As officer commanding his wing he has been responsible for supervising intensive training in tactics. The results achieved have been most satisfactory. The wing, under his leadership, destroyed at least thirteen enemy aircraft. Throughout, Wing Commander McNair has set a magnificent example by his fine fighting spirit, courage and devotion to duty both in the air and on the ground. He has inspired his pilots and confidence and enthusiasm."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Squadron Leader

Awarded on:

September 20th, 1947

Citation:
"One of Canada’s most outstanding fighter pilots, this officer combined high qualities of leadership with absolute fearlessness. He has personally destroyed seventeen aircraft, most over French territory. Throughout the Normandy campaign he was Wing Commander Operation of No.17 Royal Canadian Air Force Fighter Sector. "

With Palm.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Squadron Leader

Awarded on:

September 20th, 1947

• Photo 1:
• Photo: Aces of WW2
  
• - SHORES, CH. & WILLIAMS, C., Aces High, Grub Street, London, 1994.
  - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35569 published on the 19 May 1942
  - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36113 published on the 27 July 1943
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36223 published on the 22 October 1943
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36468 published on the 11 April 1944
  - Air Force Association of Canada
  - Century of Flight
  

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