Medal of Bravery
Awarded on: 1992-10-30
Invested on: 1992-12-11
Glenn Bannerman-Maxwell, M.B.
Kenneth Sydney Bass, M.B.
Timothy R. Kunica, M.B.
Douglas W. Rock, M.B.
Christopher D. Sallay, M.B.
Timothy R. Swift, M.B.
Terrance L. Watson, M.B.
Medal of Bravery
Mr. Rock, director of aircraft maintenance at the Lester B. Pearson International Airport near Toronto, Ontario, and maintenance workers Bannerman-Maxwell, Bass, Kunica, Sallay, Swift and Watson prevented a helicopter crash on June 28, 1991. The aircraft, which had lost its right skid following an emergency landing, flew back to the maintenance hangar. Despite the extreme danger of being struck by the rotor blade, or pieces of it, if the landing failed, the men positioned themselves under the hovering aircraft in order to facilitate landing. Some hung onto the struts to stabilize the helicopter, while others placed stands under the missing skid. The procedure was successful, but involved still another dangerous operation, shutting off the motor with a fire extinguisher.