Meritorious Service Decorations - Military Division
Meritorious Service Medal
Awarded on: 1997-01-27
Invested on: 1998-12-04
Co-recipient: Master Corporal Donald David Peters, M.S.M., C.D. (Retired)
On January 26, 1995, Master Corporal Holoshka, then Corporal, and Master Corporal Peters, Search and Rescue Technicians, overcame numerous obstacles to provide assistance to five victims of a plane crash, near Ram River Falls, Alberta. Hampered by high winds, they successfully executed a dangerous night parachute jump in an area of 3,000-metre peaks in the Rocky Mountains, managing to steer their chutes to land near the crash site. With limited equipment, Master Corporal Holoshka administered emergency medical treatment to the severely injured casualties while Master Corporal Peters, without any safety gear, climbed a steep rock face to recover the scattered provisions. A proper camp was set up to prevent hypothermia and the casualties were cared for until their evacuation the following morning. Throughout, Master Corporals Holoshka and Peters demonstrated sound judgement and outstanding dedication in order to effect this life-saving rescue mission.