Star of Courage

• Awarded on: October 19, 1972
• Invested on: June 22, 1973

Michael Papirny, S.C.
Star of Courage

Pilot Michael Papirny of Peace River, Alberta, single-handedly rescued two men from the waters of Great Bear Lake, Northwest Territories, on August 2, 1970. The two men had attempted to take off from the lake in their aircraft during a squall. Wind and waves combined to damage and overturn the machine. One man, who jumped clear, was kept afloat by his life jacket. His companion managed to climb out of the cabin onto the one float which remained intact. From the shore, a mile or more distant, Michael Papirny, seeing the plane capsized, decided to attempt a rescue using the aircraft he was himself piloting. He taxied the machine through the heavy swells and with remarkable skill manoeuvred into a position within reach first of the one man and then of the other. In order to effect their rescue, Mr. Papirny had to bring his aircraft into the wind, near each victim, and climb out of the cabin. Standing on the float, he lifted and hauled one victim, and later the other, out of the water and assisted them to get into the cabin. He then successfully took off and flew the men out to receive medical help.