Andrew Charles Mynarski
| Andrew Mynarski | |
|---|---|
"Andy" Mynarski c.1943
|
|
| Nickname(s) | Andy |
| Born |
14 October 1916 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Died | 13 June 1944 (aged 27) Cambrai, France |
| Buried at | Méharicourt Communal Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 Canada
|
| Service/branch |
Canadian Army (1940–41) Royal Canadian Air Force (1941–44) |
| Years of service | 1940–1944 |
| Rank | Pilot Officer |
| Unit | No. 419 Squadron |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Andrew Charles "Andy" Mynarski VC (14 October 1916 – 13 June 1944) was a Canadian 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 419 "Moose" Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War when he gave his life attempting to help rescue a trapped crew member. His Victoria Cross was awarded in 1946; the last such award to a Canadian airman in the Second World War.
Andrew Charles Mynarski was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on 14 October 1916, the son of recent Polish immigrants. Known as Andy to his close friends, he had five other siblings, two brothers and three sisters. Mynarski was educated at King Edward and Isaac Newton Elementary Schools, later graduating from St. John's Technical School. To help support his family after his father's death, at the age of 16, he worked as a chamois cutter.
In 1940, Mynarski joined the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, a militia unit, but only served a short time before enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). In September 1941, he was posted to No. 3 Manning Depot in Edmonton. After basic training, he went to No. 2 Wireless School in Calgary but had trouble learning Morse Code. He was then posted to No. 3 Bomb and Gunnery School at MacDonald, Manitoba, graduating just before Christmas as an air-gunner, earning his "AG" brevet.
Mynarski was promoted to temporary sergeant in Halifax just prior to going overseas in January 1942. After a series of transfers through operational training units, as a warrant officer (second class), he joined Flying Officer Art de Breyne's crew as the mid-upper gunner in 419 "Moose" Squadron, based at RAF Middleton St. George, Yorkshire.
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