Roland Edward Nairn Jr

Military
Staff Sergeant Roland E. "Lefty" Nairn, a togglier and gunner of the 95th Bomb Group at Horham. 17 March 1945. Nairn has written on reverse in a note to Freeman: 'R.E. "Lefty" Nairn.Togglier/ Nose Gunner 336 Sg - 95th BG 13 Wing - 8AF HORHAM, Eng. Taken on, 17 Mar 45, After returning from raid near Berlin, Germany. Roger-The frown on my face can be explained by the fact that I was just back from the above mission. 4 days later my career as a 95 Bg "Uniform[?] Renewal Specialist" was ended when it was hit media-379265.jpg FRE 829 Staff Sergeant Roland E. "Lefty" Nairn, a togglier and gunner of the 95th Bomb Group at Horham. 17 March 1945. Nairn has written on reverse in a note to Freeman: 'R.E. "Lefty" Nairn.Togglier/ Nose Gunner 336 Sg - 95th BG 13 Wing - 8AF HORHAM, Eng. Taken on, 17 Mar 45, After returning from raid near Berlin, Germany. Roger-The frown on my face can be explained by the fact that I was just back from the above mission. 4 days later my career as a 95 Bg "Uniform[?] Renewal Specialist" was ended when it was hit by flak just prior to bomb release over Handorf, Germany on 21 Mar 45. Don't ask me how but I managed to regain my position+ drop my bomb load at the proper time. I spent 10 months in a military hospital + recieved a DFC.' Roger Freeman Collection

IWM, Roger Freeman Collection

Object Number - FRE 829 - Staff Sergeant Roland E. "Lefty" Nairn, a togglier and gunner of the 95th Bomb Group at Horham. 17 March 1945. Nairn has written on reverse in a note...

Assigned to 336BS, 95BG, 8AF USAAF. Staff Sergeant Roland Nairn flew as a togglier in B-17 bomber crews of the 95th Bomb Group. The job of the togglier was to arm and release the bombs over the intended target on each mission.

Whilst flying his 10th mission, over Handorf, on 21-Mar-45, Nairn was hit by flak, wounding his left arm. Despite his injury, he regained his post and released his bombs at the correct time. He received the Air Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart, a medal awarded to those wounded in service. As Nairn was left-handed he felt that the ‘German Intelligence knew everything!’

He was referred to a US Army hospital in Essex before being sent home in May 1945. He boarded the Hospital Ship USAHS Charles A. Stafford at Liverpool docks for what he called the ‘slow and bumpy ride’ back to the United States.



Awards: DFC, AM, PH, WWII Victory, EAME.

Connections

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Units served with

Aircraft

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Washington, DC 12 October 1921 Son of Roland E Sr and Frances Juanita Sweeney Nairn.

Enlisted

Army Medical Center, District Of Columbia 17 September 1942 Army Medical Centre District Of Columbia

Other

Discharged USAAF

19 January 1946

Died

Silver Spring, MD 21 April 2004

Buried

Arlington National Cemetery 5 May 2004 Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Virginia Section 54 Site 51

Other

Blackmore Park Hospital, near Botesdale, Suffolk Stayed at 65th General Army Hospital at Blackmore Park, Botesdale following injury over Handorf, March 1945.

Based

Horham Assigned to 336BS, 95BG, 8AF USAAF.

Revisions

Date
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / http://95thbg.org/95th_db_pages/left_formation_code/gethonoroll.php

Date
ContributorEmily
Changes
Sources

-Nairn outlined his service in correspondence to Roger Freeman, this is held with the originals of the associated media. Transcriptions of his correspondence can be found in the captions of associated images.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / newspaper & Combat Sup

Roland Edward Nairn: Gallery (14 items)