DHC-5 Buffalo Restoration

Corporal Michael William Simpson

DATE OF BIRTH: June  29, 1948 (Toronto, Ontario)

AGE: 26

FORCE: Army

UNIT: Logistics Branch

DIVISION: 116 ATU - United Nations Emergency Force II (UNEF II)

CITATION: Memorial Cross ERII, Dag Hammerskjöld Medal

DATE OF ENLISTMENT: June 24, 1965

OTHER: Son of William (Bill) James Simpson and Loyola Helen Park (née Harrington) of Toronto, Ontario. Husband of Catherine (nee Lambert) of Hearst, Ontario. Brother of John. Michael (Mike) Simpson joined the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps under the Soldier Apprentice Program. After his promotion to corporal, Mike transferred from Transport Operator to Traffic Technician and worked at 2 Air Movements Unit Canadian Forces Base Petawawa. In 1974, he went to the Canadian Contingent of the United Nations Emergency Force Middle-East II, commonly known as UNEF 2, in Ismailia, Egypt. Later that year he was transferred to duties in Cairo. On 9 August, 1974, Cpl. Michael William Simpson was one of nine Canadian Forces personnel killed on United Nations Flight 51, shot down by a missile en route from Cairo to Lebanon.

Mrs. Park was the Royal Canadian Legion National Silver (Memorial) Cross Mother for 1999 in recognition of her son's sacrifice. She was the first mother of a slain peacekeeper to be selected as the National Silver Cross Mother. The National Silver Cross Mother is chosen annually by The Royal Canadian Legion to represent the mothers of Canada at the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa on 11 November. As the Silver Cross Mother she will lay a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial on behalf of all mothers who lost children in the military or merchant navy services of the nation.