Constable George Edward Makowski

  • Vancouver, British Columbia

Decorations for Bravery

  • Medal of Bravery

    • Awarded on: July 16, 1984
    • Invested on: November 09, 1984

    Master Corporal Joseph Arnold MacAuley, M.B., C.D.
    Corporal George Edward Makowski, M.B.
    Corporal Craig Douglas Seager, S.C., M.B., C.D.*
    Medal of Bravery

    On 2 April 1983, MCpl. Joseph MacAuley, Cpl. George Makowski and Cpl. Craig Seager, members of 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron from Canadian Forces Base Comox, through their efforts rescued two women and a man from certain death following a plane crash 75 km north-east of Vancouver. The three survivors were stranded on a precarious, avalanche-prone cliff-face and had spent the night in a makeshift shelter, battling sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall. With the help of a civilian helicopter pilot, Mr. T. A. Dixon, the team determined to reach the survivors as quickly as possible because the already bad weather conditions were forecast to deteriorate and delaying the rescue attempt another day would likely result in the death of the survivors. The team leader, MCpl. MacAuley, decided upon an untested rescue procedure and Cpls. Makowski and Seager were transported to the scene in a jury-rigged net slung beneath the helicopter. Once they had reached the survivors, Cpl. Seager stayed at the crash site with the injured man while Cpl. Makowski climbed back into the net while they rode to safety. MCpl. MacAuley remained in the cockpit throughout, giving direction to the pilot and continuously advising him of the clearance from the cliff-face, the movement of the rescue apparatus and the extraction of the survivors.

    * This is the second award for bravery to Cpl Seager.

  • Medal of Bravery

    • Awarded on: October 31, 1995
    • Invested on: May 17, 1996

    R.C.M.P. Constable Kimberly Anne Ashford, M.B.
    R.C.M.P. Constable George Makowski, M.B. *
    R.C.M. P.Constable Terrance Trytten, M.B.
    R.C.M.P. Constable Richard Peter Walton, M.B.
    Medal of Bravery

    On December 15, 1994, constables Ashford, Makowski, Trytten and Walton rescued a man trapped in a burning car in North Vancouver, British Columbia. The constables first tried to extinguish the flames underneath and inside the vehicle, but soon realized the fire had become uncontrollable. While Constable Ashford continuously doused the trapped victim with water, Constable Makowski cut his seat belt and, together with constables Trytten and Walton, tried to free the screaming man. In spite of the intense heat and smoke, they persisted and, using all of their strength, eventually pulled the motorist from the car, which was completely engulfed in flames seconds later.

    * This is the second award of a Medal of Bravery to Constalbe Makowski.