WHITAKER, Flight Lieutenant George Cosgrove, CD (333) - 2 (Fighter) Wing - Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct - awarded as per Canada Gazette dated 7 August 1954 and AFRO 448/54 dated 13 August 1954. Home in Vancouver. Previously awarded Queen's Coronation Medal, 3 June 1953 with 2 (F) Wing. Certificate forwarded 25 August 1954.
On 27 November 1953, the cartridge of a Sabre aircraft canopy failed to function during an attempted bail out in flight. On landing, a detailed examination of the canopy ejector mechanism disclosed no reason for the malfunction, though the firing pin had been released. As an alternative to prolonged grounding of 2 (Fighter) Wing aircraft and possible all 1 RCAF Air Division aircraft, Flight Lieutenant Whitaker, the Wing Armament Officer of 2 (Fighter) Wing volunteered to disassemble the defective cartridge manually, with the full knowledge that the cartridge was alive and that during the disassembly the firing pin might be unseated. He was also aware that any resulting explosion would undoubtedly cause serious physical injuries to himself. Flight Lieutenant Whitaker disassembled the cartridge without further incident. However, the fact that the malfunction proved to be of a type not liable to lead to an explosion cannot detract from the noteworthy courage and devotion to duty displayed by this officer.