Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: September 11, 1978
• Invested on: March 09, 1979

On the night of 4 December 1976, during most adverse weather conditions, the Reverend Neale Thompson of the United States Naval Reserve flew a mercy flight from Manitouwadge, Ontario, to Thunder Bay, to save the life of a girl who had been seriously injured in a snowmobile accident. Several local snowmobilers were directed to pack the snow at the airstrip to allow for the take off and Mr. Thompson departed shortly after midnight with the interior of his Cessna fully taken up with the patient, a local doctor and a nurse. The pilot intended to follow the shore line of Lake Superior, but no ground references were visible and he was forced to rely solely on instruments. After a very turbulent flight of some two hours through snow squalls, Mr. Thompson landed in Thunder Bay and enabled the girl to be rushed to hospital.