Andrew Charles Mynarski, VC was a Canadian airman and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for bravery in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Mynarski was 27 years old and flew with No. 419 "Moose" Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War when he died attempting to help rescue a trapped crew member. His Victoria Cross, which was awarded in 1946, was the last Victoria Cross received by any Canadian serviceman in the Second World War.
Mynarski c. 1943
Mynarski Memorial Lancaster
Mynarski's grave at Meharicourt Communal Cemetery near Amiens, France
The "Valiants" Bust of Andrew Mynarski unveiled at the Cenotaph War Memorial on 11 November 2006 in Ottawa, Ontario.
419 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron
419 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron was a unit of the Royal Canadian Air Force. The squadron was originally formed during the Second World War and was most recently based at CFB Cold Lake. In its latest incarnation it was responsible for advanced tactical fighter training for pilots of the RCAF and as part of the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) program using nine CT-155 Hawk trainers.
Loading a 4,000 lb "Cookie" on to a 419 Squadron Wellington at RAF Mildenhall, UK, May 1942
Personnel of No. 419 (Moose) Squadron, RCAF, with an Avro Lancaster B.X aircraft, Middleton St. George, England, 1944
W/C D.C. Hagerman, Commanding Officer of No. 419 Squadron, RCAF, in the cockpit of an Avro Lancaster B.X aircraft, England, 1944