Meritorious Service Medal

• Awarded on: June 25, 2001
• Invested on: October 12, 2001

Mark Cary, M.S.M., Quispamsis, N.B.
Sean Loutitt, M.S.M., Chestermere, Alta.
Norman Wong, M.S.M., Calgary, Alta.
Meritorious Service Medal (civil division)

In April 2001, pilot Sean Loutitt, co-pilot Mark Cary and flight engineer Norman Wong made aviation history with the first successful flight to the South Pole during the polar winter. The three crew members collectively utilized their skills and determination to evacuate an ailing doctor from Antarctica. Braving extreme weather conditions and the darkness of the polar winter, they undertook the airlift, one of the riskiest efforts ever by a small plane to the South Pole. After a six-hour flight, the aircraft safely landed in Chile, some 2,500 kilometres away. The success of this mission is directly attributed to the professionalism of Messrs. Loutitt, Cary and Wong, who brought great credit to Canada, both nationally and internationally.