World War I Victoria Cross Medal Recipient. He served as a Flight Lieutenant in the 1st Squadron, Australian Flying Corps. During a bomb attack upon an enemy construction train, Egypt, on March 20, 1917, Lieutenant McNamara noticed one of his fellow pilots was shot and forced to land behind the enemy's lines. Observing this predicament, Lieutenant McNamara descended to his rescue under heavy rifle fire and was wounded. He landed about 200 yards from the damaged machine, had the pilot climb on to his machine and made an attempt to rise. Due to his wound, Lieutenant McNamara was unable to keep his machine straight and it turned over. He then took the other officer from his plane, immediately set fire to it and made way to the second plane which they succeeded in starting. Finally Lieutenant McNamara, although weak from loss of blood, flew this machine back to their own air station a distance of seventy miles. For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty, he was promoted Captain and awarded the Victoria Cross Medal in October 1917. He was the first and only Australian Flying Corps pilot awarded the Victoria Cross Medal in World War I and later achieved the rank of Air-Vice Marshall.
World War I Victoria Cross Medal Recipient. He served as a Flight Lieutenant in the 1st Squadron, Australian Flying Corps. During a bomb attack upon an enemy construction train, Egypt, on March 20, 1917, Lieutenant McNamara noticed one of his fellow pilots was shot and forced to land behind the enemy's lines. Observing this predicament, Lieutenant McNamara descended to his rescue under heavy rifle fire and was wounded. He landed about 200 yards from the damaged machine, had the pilot climb on to his machine and made an attempt to rise. Due to his wound, Lieutenant McNamara was unable to keep his machine straight and it turned over. He then took the other officer from his plane, immediately set fire to it and made way to the second plane which they succeeded in starting. Finally Lieutenant McNamara, although weak from loss of blood, flew this machine back to their own air station a distance of seventy miles. For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty, he was promoted Captain and awarded the Victoria Cross Medal in October 1917. He was the first and only Australian Flying Corps pilot awarded the Victoria Cross Medal in World War I and later achieved the rank of Air-Vice Marshall.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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