Meritorious Service Decorations - Military Division
Meritorious Service Medal
Awarded on: 2020-10-16
Invested on: 2021-11-08
On March 5, 2017, as the aircraft commander on Rescue 901 of 103 Search and Rescue Squadron, Major Pinhorn responded to a mayday call from the fishing vessel Northern Provider, caught in a fierce North Atlantic storm 280 kilometres northeast of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Through an outstanding display of leadership, composure and life-saving performance under perilous conditions, Major Pinhorn expertly piloted the rescue helicopter to save five fishers who had abandoned ship in extremely hazardous sea conditions.