Skip to main content

Captain William Todd Fielding

Barrie, Ontario, Canada

Military Valour Decorations

  • Medal of Military Valour

    Awarded on: 2011-08-12
    Invested on: 2012-01-26
    On August 5, 2010, Captain Fielding’s Chinook helicopter was struck by enemy fire, in Panjwayi, Afghanistan, causing the fuel tank to explode and rendering the aircraft nearly inoperable. With the helicopter in flames and the cockpit rapidly filling with smoke, Captain Fielding made the time-critical decision to land in enemy territory rather than fly to a friendly landing zone. His outstanding courage and devotion to duty allowed him to execute an emergency landing and then lead the evacuation of the burning aircraft. His actions no doubt saved the lives of all crew and passengers that day.