The medal was awarded only for acts of great bravery and was intended primarily for civilians. Awards to the military were confined to actions for which purely military honours were not normally granted.

Photo Veteran Affairs Canada

On the 21 July 1955 at 1 Fighter Wing, Marville, France, a Royal Canadian Air Force jet aircraft stalled on the final approach to the aerodrome, crashed short of the runway and burst into flames. Flight Lieutenant Morgan, who was on runway control duty in the vicinity, sprinted the 150 yards that separated him from the crash. With complete disregard for his own safety, ignoring the flames and exploding ammunition he attempted, while standing on the wing over partially filled fuel tanks which were in imminent danger of exploding, to open the jammed canopy which had trapped the pilot. He was joined by Leading Aircraftman Waters who had been working nearby and saw the accident, and together they tried without success to free the canopy. Despite the mounting danger Flight Lieutenant Morgan attempted to break the canopy with a stone and was finally successful when he secured an axe from the fire truck which had then reached the scene. He, with Leading Aircraftman Waters, succeeded in removing the pilot who was partially conscious and later found to be suffering from a broken back. Flight Lieutenant Morgan's prompt, courageous and sustained rescue efforts undoubtedly largely contributed to saving the life of the pilot, who survived his injuries. The splendid courage displayed by Flight Lieutenant Morgan notwithstanding the extreme risk of serious injury or death warrants praise of the highest order.