Nick Knilans

Born in Delavan, Wisconsin, Knilans was conscripted by the United States Army in April 1941 but, wanting to fly, he absconded to Canada and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).^[1] He sailed across the Atlantic aboard the Queen Elizabeth and joined No. 619 Squadron RAF in June 1943.^[1]

While Knilands served with 619 Squadron, he was officially transferred to the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), at the rank of first lieutenant – equivalent to an RAF flying officer. (Though due to the significantly higher rates paid in the US forces, he received pay equivalent to an RAF group captain.) Knilands was officially seconded to the RAF; he and his crew flew operations with 619 until January 1944,^[1] when they volunteered to join No. 617 Squadron RAF ("The Dambusters"). With 617 they took part in various raids, including Operation Taxable, Operation Paravane, and the attacks on the German battleship Tirpitz.^[1]

Knilans was awarded the Distinguished Service Order on 17 January 1944, the Commonwealth Distinguished Flying Cross, the United States Distinguished Flying Cross and six Air Medals.^[1]

After the war, Knilans was a teacher for 25 years and worked as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nigeria for two years.^[1] He never married.