Buck McNair graduated from high school in North Battleford in 1937 and went to work as a ground wireless operator for the Saskatchewan Ministry of Natural Resources.
19 Facts About Buck McNair
1.
2.
Buck McNair graduated as a pilot on 24 March 1941 and was posted to No 411 Squadron RCAF at RAF Digby in Lincolnshire, England, in June 1941.
3.
Buck McNair managed to get behind and damage a Messerschmitt Bf 109, but was attacked by another 109 before he could finish the job and had to break off.
4.
On 2 March 1942, Buck McNair piloted one of 17 Spitfires launched from the British aircraft carrier HMS Eagle to the beleaguered island.
5.
Buck McNair was promoted first to flying officer, then to flight lieutenant sometime during this period.
6.
Buck McNair was then sent home to Canada for six months rest and war bond drives.
7.
Buck McNair managed to parachute into the water and was saved by Walrus burned about the face.
8.
Buck McNair's eyesight was permanently damaged, so he had to get closer to the enemy than before to compensate.
9.
Buck McNair kept his handicap to himself, leading others to believe that he was being excessively reckless.
10.
In 1944, Buck McNair was promoted to wing commander of 126 Wing, RAF Second Tactical Air Force at RAF Biggin Hill, which meant he no longer flew combat missions.
11.
Buck McNair later served as Air Advisor and Attache of the Military Mission at the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo, Japan.
12.
Buck McNair was aboard a Canadair North Star which crashed at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on 30 December 1953.
13.
Buck McNair made sure that all passengers and crew were safely evacuated before leaving himself, despite being soaked in gasoline.
14.
Buck McNair suffered spinal injuries and was treated for a year.
15.
Buck McNair was promoted to group captain in 1956 and posted to No 4 Fighter Wing in CFB Baden-Soellingen.
16.
Buck McNair later joined the Canadian Joint Staff office at the High Commission in London.
17.
Buck McNair died of leukemia and was buried in Brookwood Cemetery, Surrey, England.
18.
Buck McNair met Watford-born stenographer Barbara Gwendoline Still on a blind date in London in 1942; they married in 1944 and had two sons: Bruce and Lawrence Keith NcNair.
19.
Buck McNair was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 22 May 1942,27 July 1943 and 22 October 1943.