Nathan E. Fair, Jr. was supposedly born in Throckmorton County, Texas, although one account lists Ocean Beach, California as his home. (This is probably because he was residing there at one time, employed in the aircraft industry.) He entered the service on September 19, 1940 in Fort Worth, Texas, and was trained as a pilot, commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant, and assigned to a combat crew on the B-17 type aircraft. After training, the crew ferried this bomber to England where they were assigned to the 562nd Bomb Squadron of the 388th Bomb Group.

On July 23 and 24, the crew flew their first two combat missions. On July 26, they were scheduled to participate in a bombing raid on Hanover, Germany. En route to the target, flak was reported as moderate. Over the target, however, it was intense and accurate.

The aircraft took several hits in the left wing and then the right wing, which caught fire. Number three engine was burning. According the 388th mission reports, the aircraft then exploded. USAAC-USAAF Aircraft Inventory Records state the aircraft was shot down by enemy fighters and German records state the crippled aircraft was shot down by Feldwebel Erich Fuhrman of JG 1/5 flying a BF-109.

The Missing Air Crew Report indicates 4 of the crew were killed in action while 6 were captured. Records of the 388th Bomb Group personnel state 5 were killed while 5 were captured. Lt Hathan E. Fair, Jr is buried in Ardennes American Cemetery in Belgium. He was one of the many brave Americans of the 388th Bomber Group who lost their lives in aerial operations against the German forces from June 1943 - August 1945.

Source of information: airforce.togetherweserved.com, www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov