Robert Wendell McNair

Robert Wendell (Buck) McNair, D.S.O., D.F.C.**, C.D.*, was born in Springhill, Nova Scotia, on May 15, 1919, and grew up in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. During the summers of 1937 to 1940 he worked for Canadian Airways Ltd. as a ground wireless operator, relaying weather and other information necessary for the safety of bush pilots operating in the north.

He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in June 1940, and graduated as a Sergeant-pilot in March 1941. He was transferred to No. 411 Squadron in England in June 1941. His first victories came while flying a Spitfire in September and October, when he downed a Messerschmitt Me 109 and damaged two other enemy aircraft.

McNair was transferred to No. 249 Squadron in Malta in March 1942, a posting which included a flight from the deck of aircraft carrier HMS Eagle delivering new pilots and aircraft into Malta. This was a difficult exercise since the Eagle was not a large carrier, and the Spitfire was not designed for this type of operation. Also, the distance was beyond the Spitfire's normal range, and each aircraft had to carry a supply of parts. The addition of a belly fuel tank extended its range. Increased lift for take-off was accomplished by inserting small wooden wedges between the flaps and the underside of the wings. When the aircraft was taking off, the wedges held the flaps in a slightly open position to provide additional lift. When the flaps were retracted, the wedges were released.

The delivery of aircraft to Malta was successful and during the balance of his four-month tour McNair destroyed five enemy aircraft and damaged eight others. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (D.F.C.) and promoted to Flight Lieutenant. He rejoined No. 411 Fighter Squadron in the U.K. in July of 1942 and damaged several more enemy aircraft during a fierce air battle over Dieppe, France, on August 19, 1942.

In September of 1942 McNair, now a Flight Commander, was sent on a six-month coast-to-coast promotion of Canada War Bonds. He returned to England in early 1943 and became Squadron Leader, first of 416 and then 421 Squadrons. In a short period, he added eight more victories and received two Bars to his D.F.C.

On July 20, 1943, as he was leading a patrol along the Dutch coast, his Spitfire's engine began to lose power. He left the squadron and turned for home accompanied by his wing man. Twelve miles from the French coast his engine burst into flames and his aircraft dived out of control. At 5,000 feet (1,520 m) he struggled free, and with his face badly burned, bailed out of the aircraft. The parachute was partially burned, but he freed himself from the jammed harness and landed in the water, supported only by his Mae West life preserver. He was rescued within a few hours, and was flying again within three weeks.

In October of 1943 he became Wing Commander of 126 RCAF Wing, the leading Fighter Wing in the Second Tactical Air Force. In April 1944, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) with the citation noting that:

"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 with confidence and enthusiasm."

When his combat days were over, he had destroyed at least sixteen enemy aircraft and damaged many others. He became the RCAF's second-ranking ace of World War II and one of its most successful wing leaders.

McNair served as Commander of No. 17 Sector in 1944. He attended the first post-war course at Royal Air Force (RAF) Staff College, and on completion of the Empire Central Flying School course in April 1946, he was sent to Fakenham, Norfolk, to fly the first British operational jet aircraft, the Gloster Meteor. In 1947 he was awarded the French Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf and the Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.

In the post war years, Colonel McNair served in staff positions at Washington, DC, U.S.A., Quebec, and finally, in Tokyo during the Korean conflict. He was frequently called upon to fly and evaluate the latest jet aircraft.

In 1953 McNair was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct for his actions during a crash landing of a North Star Transport at RCAF Sea Island, Vancouver, BC. He was a passenger, but as Senior Officer, he conducted the evacuation of the aircraft. Although injured and his clothing soaked with gasoline, he returned to the wreckage until all of the passengers and crew were accounted for.

In January 1956, he was promoted to Group Captain and commanded No. 4 Fighter Wing in Baden-Soellingen and in 1961 was assigned to North American Air Defence (NORAD) Region Headquarters at St. Hubert, Quebec. He was appointed Deputy Commander of NORAD's Duluth sector in 1964 and in 1968 became Senior Air Liaison with the Canadian Joint Staff in London. He died there on January 15, 1971.

In 2007 Buck McNair was honoured when No. 4 Wing Cold Lake Airfield was renamed the “G/C R.W. McNair Airfield”.

Robert Wendell (Buck) McNair was inducted as a Member of Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame in 1990 at a ceremony held at Edmonton, Alberta.