The Mynarski Trophy was presented for the first time at the 1958 Annual Convention held in Edmonton, Alberta. At the time, the Mynarski Trophy was awarded to the Royal Canadian Air Force Wing (Station) with the most effective and successful social, recreational and cultural support program/facility/venue to Canadian Forces families and dependents lodging and working at the Wing/Station/Base. The Mynarski Trophy was subsequently re-purposed circa 1976 and introduced as Canada’s highest award for excellence in the field of air search and rescue, and may be awarded “to the most deserving federal, provincial or civilian organization, crew or individual in recognition of a significant contribution to aviation search and rescue in Canada.”
The trophy memorializes Pilot Officer Andrew Charles Mynarski of 419 “Moose” Squadron, who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. Mynarski gave his life trying to free a trapped air gunner as their stricken Lancaster bomber plummeted in flames, 13 June, 1944 after being hit by enemy fire during a raid over enemy-occupied Europe.
