Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: October 13, 2010
• Invested on: October 28, 2011

Major Frank Wagener, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On April 18, 2008, Major Frank Wagener, of the German Air Force, rescued a student pilot after their aircraft had crashed near a runway, in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The aircraft had experienced a major mechanical malfunction and was nose-diving quickly towards the ground. Major Wagener and the student pilot ejected at approximately 300 feet above the ground while the aircraft was in its steep descent. It struck the ground a few seconds after the ejections and exploded. A huge fireball spewed from the wreckage beneath the descending pilots, causing serious injuries to both men. Although Major Wagener was able to get out of his harness and ejection seat, the student pilot remained trapped, unable to free himself from his burning parachute. Major Wagener ran back into the fire to detach the student pilot from his gear and walked him safely away from the crash site.