Navy Federal Credit Union

A member of the Army Air Service, Hilbert Bair was attached to the Royal Air Force during World War I and became an ACE, credited with shooting down 6 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. During World War II he returned to service as a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Air Forces.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    Foreign

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    24th Squadron

    Division:

    Royal Air Force

    Action Date:

    September 15 & 16, 1918

    The British Distinguished Flying Cross is presented to First Lieutenant Hilbert Leigh Bair, Royal Air Force, for conspicuous bravery and skill in attacking enemy aircraft and troops on the ground. On 15 September 1918, he and another pilot attacked an enemy two-seater, which after considerable fighting, they drove down and crashed near Honnecourt Wood. On 16 September 1918, he engaged and drove down, completely out of control, an enemy two-seater southeast of Cambrai. On 30 August 1918, he performed brilliant and valuable work attacking and silencing an enemy battery west of Bouvincourt. When this battery reopened fire, he again attacked it and after silencing it, stampeded the battery. In all, he has destroyed or taken part in the destruction of three enemy aircraft besides driving down two others completely out of control. His work in attacking ground targets has been of the greatest value.