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Wop May

Wilfrid Reid "Wop" May (March 20, 1896 – June 21, 1952) was a pioneering Canadian aviator renowned for his service as a First World War flying ace, his postwar bush piloting exploits in northern Canada, and his contributions to commercial aviation infrastructure and search-and-rescue operations.^[1]^[2] Born in Carberry, Manitoba, May moved to Edmonton, Alberta, with his family in 1902 and developed an early interest in aviation.^[1] During the First World War, he enlisted in 1916 with the 202nd Battalion and transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in 1918, where he trained as a pilot and joined No. 209 Squadron in France.^[1] As a Sopwith Camel pilot, May achieved 13 aerial victories, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross for his combat prowess; notably, on April 21, 1918, his jammed guns forced him to flee low over the Somme, drawing pursuit from Manfred von Richthofen, the "Red Baron," who was fatally shot during the ensuing engagement.^[1]^[3]^[4] After the war, May founded May Airplanes Limited in 1919, establishing Edmonton's first air service and conducting Canada's inaugural commercial flight on June 2, 1919.^[1] He developed Blatchford Field into Canada's first commercial airport in 1927 and pioneered northern air routes, including the first winter airmail delivery to the Arctic in 1929, for which he received the Trans-Canada (McKee) Trophy and was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1935.^[1] In January 1929, May and mechanic Vic Horner flew a perilous mercy mission from Edmonton to deliver diphtheria antitoxin to Fort Vermilion amid an outbreak at the nearby Little Red River settlement, saving numerous lives in harsh winter conditions and preventing a wider epidemic.^[1]^[5]^[6] In 1932, he assisted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in the aerial manhunt for Albert Johnson, the "Mad Trapper of Rat River," flying reconnaissance and evacuation missions that helped end the infamous pursuit.^[1]^[7]^[8] During the Second World War, May served as supervisor of No. 2 Air Observer School in Edmonton under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, where he innovated aerial search-and-rescue techniques, earning the U.S. Medal of Freedom with Bronze Palm in 1947.^[1]^[2] Postwar, he directed northern development for Canadian Pacific Airlines from 1947, expanding air networks across the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alaska, and northern British Columbia, before managing repairs in Calgary until 1951.^[1] May died of a heart attack at age 56 while hiking with his son near Provo, Utah; he was posthumously inducted into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame in 1974, with landmarks like Wopmay Lake and the Wop May River named in his honor.^[1]^[4]^[9]

Early Life

Family Background and Childhood

Wilfrid Reid May was born on March 20, 1896, in Carberry, Manitoba, as the youngest son of Alexander May and Elizabeth May.^[10] His father worked as a carriage and implements merchant, supporting the family's life in the rural prairie community of Carberry, which was centered around farming and agriculture.^[10] The Mays maintained a modest household typical of early settler families in the region, with Alexander's business providing essential services to local farmers.^[3] May's early childhood was shaped by his family environment in Manitoba, where he grew up alongside siblings, including his brother Elgin "Court" May.^[10] The family dynamics emphasized self-reliance and community ties, influenced by the challenges of rural life on the windswept prairies.^[3] In 1902, during the family trip to Edmonton, a young cousin's attempt to pronounce his given name "Wilfrid" resulted in the mispronunciation "Woppie," which evolved into his lifelong nickname "Wop."^[1]^[11] The family's decision to relocate to Edmonton in 1902 marked a significant transition, prompted by opportunities in the growing western city.^[12] This move ended May's formative years in Manitoba but laid the groundwork for his later experiences in Alberta.^[10]

Education and Initial Interests

In 1902, the May family relocated from Manitoba to Edmonton, Alberta, where young Wilfrid Reid May—known by his childhood nickname "Wop," from his cousin Mary Lumsden's mispronunciation of "Wilfrid" as "Woppie" during the journey—began his formal schooling.^[13]^[12] May attended Edmonton public schools, including McKay Avenue School for his elementary education, followed by high school at Edmonton High School (now Victoria School of the Arts). At Edmonton High School, he befriended future flying ace Arthur "Roy" Brown.^[10] He later pursued additional studies at the Western Canadian College in Calgary and Alberta College in Edmonton, completing his formal education around 1915.^[12] These institutions provided a solid foundation in basic academics amid Edmonton's growing urban environment.^[14]^[15] During his teenage years in Edmonton, May developed an interest in mechanics and aviation, influenced by the era's emerging technology and accounts of early flyers.^[2]

World War I Service

Enlistment and Training

In 1916, at the age of 19, Wilfrid Reid "Wop" May enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, joining the 202nd Edmonton Sportsmen's Battalion on February 8 as a machine gun sergeant due to age restrictions that initially barred him from pilot training.^[16] His early interest in mechanics, developed during his education in Edmonton, aligned with this ground crew role.^[1] The battalion sailed to England in November 1916, where May applied for pilot training and transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on October 24, 1917, receiving a commission as a second lieutenant effective the following day.^[16] He began flight instruction at the R.F.C. School of Instruction in Acton, London, starting October 27, 1917, where he trained on the Caudron G.III and achieved his first solo flight on November 17 after 3 hours and 29 minutes of dual instruction.^[17] May continued advanced training from December 23, 1917, to February 28, 1918, at No. 94 Squadron in Hendon, England, encompassing signalling, aerial photography, bomb dropping, gunnery, air fighting, and formation flying on aircraft including the Avro 504, Sopwith Pup, and Sopwith Camel.^[17] Accumulating 55 hours and 9 minutes of flying time, he graduated as a certified pilot on February 28, 1918, and was promoted to lieutenant.^[16]^[17] In April 1918, May was assigned to No. 209 Squadron of the Royal Air Force, deploying to France on April 9 under flight commander Captain Roy Brown.^[16]

Combat Role and Victories

Upon completing his flight training earlier that year, Wilfrid Reid May was assigned to No. 209 Squadron of the Royal Air Force on 9 April 1918 and deployed to the Western Front, where he flew the Sopwith Camel fighter aircraft in offensive patrols over German-held territory.^[10]^[18] May rapidly adapted to combat flying, engaging in intense dogfights that helped secure Allied air superiority during the closing stages of the war; his squadron conducted low-level bombing and escort missions to support ground advances, often clashing with German Fokker D.VII and other fighters above key battle zones like the Somme and Amiens sectors.^[10]^[3] Between April and November 1918, May was credited with 13 confirmed aerial victories, including the destruction of several enemy aircraft such as an LVG reconnaissance plane on 5 June southeast of Villers-Bretonneux and two in a single engagement on 27 August near Monchy and Rémy; he also recorded multiple out-of-control reports, contributing to the tally with at least two such assists early in his service.^[3]^[1] These accomplishments earned him recognition as a flying ace and led to the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross on 3 December 1918, with the official citation in the London Gazette praising his "numerous offensive and low-bombing patrols," during which he "destroyed three enemy machines and...driven down two others completely out of control," while highlighting his "keenness and disregard of personal danger."^[10]

Encounter with the Red Baron

On April 21, 1918, during a routine patrol with No. 209 Squadron over the Somme Valley near the Bray-Corbie road in France, Lieutenant Wilfrid "Wop" May, a novice pilot on one of his early combat missions, encountered German aircraft while flying his Sopwith Camel. May initially attacked a German Fokker Dr.I triplane flown by Wolfram von Richthofen, the cousin of Manfred von Richthofen, but his guns jammed after firing a short burst, forcing him to break off and fly low toward Allied lines to evade pursuit.^[4]^[19] As May weaved erratically at treetop level to escape, Manfred von Richthofen, the renowned "Red Baron" commanding Jagdgeschwader 1 in his distinctive red Fokker Dr.I triplane, spotted the action and dove in to protect his cousin, closing rapidly on May's tail. Richthofen fired steadily at the inexperienced Canadian, who later recounted that his own clumsy maneuvers—unpredictable turns and dives—likely confused the ace and bought him precious seconds, as May admitted, "Richthofen was firing at me continually, [and] the only thing that saved me was my poor flying. I didn’t know what I was doing myself and I do not suppose that Richthofen could figure out what I was going to do." May's squadron leader, Captain Roy Brown, observed the pursuit from above and intervened decisively, diving steeply to fire a burst from his twin Vickers machine guns at Richthofen's aircraft from close range.^[4]^[20]^[19] The engagement ended abruptly when Richthofen banked away, his triplane trailing smoke, and glided to a rough landing in a field behind Allied lines near Vaux-sur-Somme; he succumbed to a single .303-caliber bullet wound to the chest shortly after, confirmed dead by approaching Australian troops. May, unscathed, landed safely at his squadron's airfield at Bertangles and learned soon after that the downed German pilot was none other than the Red Baron, whose body and aircraft were recovered nearby, marking the end of his 80 confirmed aerial victories.^[4]^[20]^[21] The incident has fueled ongoing historical debate about who fired the fatal shot—Brown from the air or Australian anti-aircraft gunners on the ground—with ballistic analysis suggesting the bullet's trajectory aligned more closely with aerial fire, though ground fire remains a contested possibility. May's firsthand account as the pursued pilot provides a key eyewitness perspective, emphasizing the intense low-level chase and Brown's timely intervention, though May himself fired no shots after his initial jam. In the broader context of No. 209 Squadron's intense spring 1918 operations against German forces, this encounter highlighted the squadron's defensive patrols amid escalating air battles.^[19]^[4]^[20]

Interwar Aviation Career

Establishment of Aviation Business

Following his discharge from the Royal Air Force in 1919, Wilfrid "Wop" May returned to Edmonton, Alberta, where he co-founded May Airplanes Ltd. with his brother Court, establishing Canada's first registered aircraft company.^[1] His experience as a flying ace during World War I served as the foundational skill for this civilian enterprise.^[4] The company initially operated from a rented Curtiss JN-4 Canuck biplane, acquired for $25 per month from the City of Edmonton, and focused on early commercial activities such as barnstorming stunts at airshows, offering joyrides to the public, and selling surplus warplanes like the Curtiss JN series.^[22] These operations were based out of May Field on Sproule Farm, approximately 3.5 miles northwest of Edmonton's post office, where the brothers conducted flights around central Alberta, including promotional drops like delivering the first baseball of the season over Diamond Park in 1919.^[22] By 1920, May had obtained Commercial Pilot's Licence No. 7 and the business expanded to include charter services, while acquiring facilities at Blatchford Field (now Edmonton City Centre Airport), Canada's early aviation hub.^[1]^[4] The venture faced significant challenges amid the postwar economic slump, including limited public interest in aviation, high operational costs for surplus aircraft, and emerging competition from other pilots, which strained finances and prompted an evolution toward specialized bush flying services.^[23]^[8]

Bush Flying and Northern Exploration

In the early 1920s, following the establishment of May Airplanes Limited as his operational base in Edmonton, Wilfrid "Wop" May shifted his focus to bush flying, pioneering aerial support for remote operations in Alberta and the Northwest Territories. Hired by Imperial Oil Limited in 1920, May and his partner George Gorman ferried two Junkers-Larsen JL-6 monoplanes—equipped with floats for summer operations and named Vic and Rene—from New York to Edmonton in January 1921, marking one of the earliest uses of aircraft for northern resource development. These planes were then flown north to support prospecting and supply transport along the Mackenzie River, including deliveries to mining and oil camps in uncharted areas.^[1] A pivotal effort came in 1921 when May's flights facilitated the early development of the Norman Wells oil field, one of Canada's first major northern petroleum discoveries. Operating from float-equipped Junkers, he transported essential supplies, equipment, and personnel over vast, inaccessible terrain, enabling Imperial Oil to establish operations at Fort Norman (now Tulita) despite the challenges of rugged landscapes and limited ground infrastructure. These missions not only mapped potential routes but also demonstrated aviation's potential for logistical support in subarctic regions, reducing travel times from weeks by boat or dogsled to hours by air. May's work laid groundwork for subsequent explorations, including aerial reconnaissance that aided in identifying mineral prospects along the Mackenzie Valley.^[9]^[24]^[25] May also innovated cold-weather flying techniques to extend operations year-round, outfitting aircraft with skis for winter landings on snow and ice—a novel adaptation for commercial use in the North. In early 1921, he and Gorman equipped their uninsulated Junkers planes, named Vic and Rene, with skis to navigate frozen rivers and lakes, allowing continued supply runs during the harsh subarctic winters when waterways were impassable. This innovation overcame previous limitations of floatplanes, enabling reliable access to remote sites and setting precedents for bush pilots in handling extreme conditions like sub-zero temperatures and unpredictable weather.^[25] The economic impact of May's bush flying was profound, as it accelerated oil and mineral development in the North by providing vital air links that bypassed seasonal ground travel constraints. His Imperial Oil contracts directly supported the Norman Wells field's production startup, which began yielding oil by 1922 and contributed to Canada's early 20th-century energy infrastructure. By streamlining transport for prospectors and reducing costs associated with overland routes, May's efforts spurred investment in northern resource extraction, fostering long-term growth in Alberta's and the Northwest Territories' extractive industries.^[9]^[24]^[1]

Mercy Flight of 1929

In December 1928, a diphtheria outbreak ravaged the remote settlement of Little Red River near Fort Vermilion, Alberta, claiming several lives including that of Hudson's Bay Company employee Bert Logan; with overland transport by dog team or river too slow and winter conditions impassable, local doctor Harold Hamman urgently telegraphed Edmonton's Department of Health on December 18 for antitoxin serum from 567 miles away.^[26]^[27] On January 1, 1929, Wop May and fellow pilot Vic Horner volunteered to undertake the perilous delivery in May's open-cockpit Avro Avian biplane, a lightweight two-seater with skis for landing on snow; they departed Edmonton at 12:45 p.m. the next day amid -20°F (-29°C) temperatures, ice fog, low ceilings, and strong headwinds that reduced their airspeed to as low as 40 mph.^[26]^[1] The route traced northwest over sparsely populated bush country: first to McLennan (267 miles, landing at 3:55 p.m. on January 2 for an overnight stop), then a short hop to Peace River (50 miles, arriving 10:30 a.m. on January 3), and finally the longest leg to Fort Vermilion (250 miles).^[26] Throughout the flight, the pilots battled intensifying challenges, including snow squalls that dropped temperatures to -33°F (-36°C) and forced navigation by frozen riverbeds and landmarks, leveraging May's bush flying expertise honed in northern operations; midway, the serum package—insulated with heated bricks—ignited from a faulty oil stove, prompting them to jettison the heater and warm the vital cargo against their bodies to prevent freezing.^[26]^[27] Despite mechanical strains from the cold and subpar aviation fuel mixed with automobile gasoline, they touched down at Fort Vermilion's improvised snow runway at 3:00 p.m. on January 3, after roughly 9 hours of cumulative flying time over two days.^[26] Upon arrival, May and Horner handed the serum to Dr. Hamman, who immediately administered inoculations to over 30 residents at a community dance that evening, stemming the epidemic and saving the isolated population from further devastation; the mission's success demonstrated aviation's life-saving role in Canada's remote north, where no other transport could have delivered aid in time.^[26]^[28] The return journey proved equally arduous, with engine failures from contaminated fuel requiring overnight repairs in Peace River from January 4 to 5, before they reached Edmonton on January 6 to a crowd of 10,000 cheering spectators at Blatchford Field.^[26]^[27] In recognition of this daring humanitarian effort and his broader pioneering of air services to outlying districts, May received the 1929 Trans-Canada (McKee) Trophy, Canada's highest aviation honor at the time, along with engraved watches presented at a civic ceremony in Edmonton.^[1]^[29]

Involvement in the Mad Trapper Manhunt

In 1931, a mysterious trapper using the alias Albert Johnson arrived in Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories, and constructed a remote cabin along the Rat River, sparking disputes with local trappers over trapline encroachments.^[30] When the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) attempted to serve a warrant in December 1931, Johnson fired upon the officers, wounding one and escaping into the wilderness, which escalated tensions and initiated a prolonged pursuit through the Arctic winter.^[30] The situation intensified on January 31, 1932, when Johnson ambushed and fatally shot RCMP Constable Edgar Millen during an encounter, prompting a massive manhunt involving dozens of officers, Indigenous guides, and dog teams across unforgiving sub-zero terrain.^[31] Leveraging his extensive prior bush flying experience in the northern regions, where he had logged approximately 100 flights over the terrain, Wop May was recruited by the RCMP in early February 1932 to provide aerial support in the hunt for Johnson, marking the first use of aircraft in an RCMP manhunt.^[32] Flying a Bellanca CH-300 monoplane from Edmonton, May arrived in Aklavik on February 5, 1932, and immediately began patrols to spot Johnson's tracks from the air amid temperatures averaging -40°C to -50°C, conditions that grounded ground teams and complicated navigation.^[7] Over the next days, May conducted key reconnaissance flights, delivering supplies and dog food to remote posses on February 8 and spotting fresh snowshoe tracks along the Rat and Husky Rivers on February 7, which directed ground forces more efficiently through the snow-covered landscape.^[31] On February 14, 1932, May's aerial patrol located Johnson's trail at the junction of the Eagle and Bell Rivers, confirming the fugitive had crossed into the Yukon and prompting an intensified chase despite blizzards that forced a landing at La Pierre House.^[30] The manhunt culminated on February 17, 1932, when May flew overhead during the final confrontation on the Eagle River, signaling directions to the posse via wing wags and flares as Johnson exchanged gunfire with officers, resulting in the trapper's death from wounds sustained in the shootout.^[7] In the aftermath, May executed a perilous landing on the frozen river to evacuate critically injured RCMP Staff Sergeant H. F. Hersey—who had been shot multiple times, with blood "spurting out" from his wounds—racing through a storm to Aklavik's hospital, where a mere 15-minute delay would have been fatal.^[32] He later returned to retrieve Johnson's body, which was found with valuables including $2,400 in cash, underscoring the trapper's enigmatic background.^[32] Throughout the operation, May faced significant personal risks, including forced landings on ice amid hurricane-force winds and whiteout conditions that rendered visibility near zero, conditions he described as the worst he had encountered in his career.^[31] In reflections recorded in 1952, May emphasized the harsh wilderness pursuit's toll, noting the relentless deep snow that slowed Johnson but also challenged aerial spotting, and the relief of Hersey's survival amid the "superhuman" evasion tactics of the fugitive, whose true identity remained unresolved.^[32]

World War II Contributions

Leadership in Training Programs

In 1940, Wilfrid "Wop" May volunteered his services to the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) and was appointed general manager of No. 2 Air Observer School at Edmonton Municipal Airport, leveraging his extensive prewar experience operating May Air Service, a successful bush flying business in the Canadian North.^[1] Under May's leadership from 1940 to 1944, the school focused on training air observers—primarily navigators, wireless operators, and bomb aimers—for RCAF and Commonwealth forces, utilizing a fleet of Avro Anson twin-engine aircraft for practical instruction.^[33]^[34] The curriculum emphasized essential wartime skills, including instrument flying for adverse weather conditions, dead reckoning navigation over vast terrains, aerial photography, and bombing practice on simulated targets, ensuring graduates met rigorous standards for operational deployment.^[35] May's oversight resulted in the training of a significant number of observers, a vital contribution to the BCATP's goal of producing skilled aircrew amid escalating demands for Allied bomber and reconnaissance operations.^[36] Promoted to Wing Commander during this period, he was commended for upholding high training quality and efficiency despite resource shortages and the intense pace of wartime production.^[37]

Search and Rescue Operations

During World War II, Wilfrid "Wop" May coordinated Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) search and rescue (SAR) efforts for downed pilots across Alberta and the Northwest Territories from 1941 to 1945, drawing on his extensive northern aviation experience to establish effective operations in challenging environments.^[38] As supervisor of No. 2 Air Observer School in Edmonton, he organized a dedicated air rescue team using civilian personnel from Canadian Airways Training Ltd., which he presented to RCAF headquarters in Ottawa; the plan was adopted, forming the basis of the RCAF's formal SAR unit.^[38] This initiative provided logistical support from his observer school leadership while focusing on fieldwork recoveries.^[39] May's teams conducted notable missions in rugged terrain, often employing Noorduyn Norseman aircraft adapted for cold-weather operations to locate and extract survivors from remote crash sites.^[38] One prominent example was the 1945 search near Sea Island for a downed B-24 Liberator, during which his unit not only recovered the primary target but also identified four additional lost aircraft, demonstrating the efficiency of coordinated aerial sweeps in vast northern areas.^[38] These operations were critical amid the high volume of Allied aircraft transiting through Canada to Alaska and Russia, where harsh weather and isolation frequently led to forced landings.^[40] Leveraging his interwar bush flying background, May developed improved SAR techniques, including aerial spotting for precise location of distress signals and supply drops to sustain survivors until extraction.^[38] He incorporated para-rescue methods inspired by U.S. smoke jumper training from Missoula, Montana, establishing a 15-week course covering medical aid, parachuting, survival skills, and bush navigation near Cooking Lake and Jasper, Alberta; the inaugural team comprised 12 volunteers selected from over 20,000 applicants for their physical fitness and northern expertise.^[38] These innovations enhanced recovery rates and set precedents for postwar RCAF SAR protocols.^[37] For his contributions to Allied aircrew safety through these rescue efforts, May was awarded the U.S. Medal of Freedom with Bronze Palm in 1947 by Brigadier General Dale Gaffney of the United States Army Air Forces.^[38]^[37] The citation recognized his leadership in saving numerous American and Canadian pilots' lives during the war.^[40]

Later Years and Legacy

Postwar Activities

Following his service in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II, where he managed No. 2 Air Observer School in Edmonton as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and pioneered para-rescue operations, Wilfrid "Wop" May was discharged in 1946.^[1]^[16] These wartime efforts, which included developing innovative search and rescue techniques, served as a capstone to his aviation career.^[16] May then returned to commercial aviation, joining Canadian Pacific Airlines (CPA) in 1947 as Director of Northern Development, where he oversaw the establishment of air bases in the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alaska, and northern British Columbia to support expanded northern operations.^[1]^[16] In this role, May focused on charters, aerial surveys, and logistical planning to facilitate resource exploration and transportation in remote areas, drawing on his extensive bush flying experience from earlier decades.^[16] By 1949, he transferred to Vancouver as Director of Development for CPA, extending his consulting work to international routes in the Far East and South Pacific, before returning to western Canada in 1951 to manage the company's repair depot in Calgary.^[1]^[12] Throughout his postwar professional life, May balanced these endeavors with his family commitments; he had married Violet "Vi" Bode, an accomplished equestrian, in 1924, and together they raised two children, Denny and Joyce, in Edmonton.^[12]^[41] May's health began to decline in the early 1950s due to heart issues, prompting him to reduce his active flying and shift toward administrative roles.^[1] In June 1952, seeking respite, he embarked on a hiking trip with his son Denny to Timpanogos Cave near Provo, Utah, as part of a family vacation.^[1]^[12]

Death

On June 21, 1952, Wilfrid "Wop" May suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 56 while on a family vacation hiking in the Wasatch Mountains near Provo, Utah, with his 17-year-old son Denny.^[1] The pair was en route to Timpanogos Cave National Monument when May paused for a rest and told his son to continue ahead, saying, "...you go on up and I'll meet you back at the car"; he collapsed shortly after and could not be revived.^[41] May's body was returned to Edmonton, Alberta, where his funeral was held, drawing tributes from the local aviation community in recognition of his pioneering role in Canadian bush flying and military service.^[42] He was buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Edmonton.^[42] The sudden loss profoundly affected May's family, including his wife Violet and daughter Joyce, who had relocated with him to Alberta after time in Vancouver; his son Denny, who witnessed the event, later carried on aspects of his father's aviation legacy.^[41] At the time, May served as manager of Canadian Pacific Airlines' repair depot in Calgary, a position seamlessly assumed by associates to ensure operational continuity.^[12]

Honors and Enduring Impact

May received several prestigious awards during his lifetime for his contributions to aviation. In 1918, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his courage and skill as a fighter pilot during the Battle of Amiens in World War I.^[43] In 1929, May earned the Trans-Canada (McKee) Trophy in recognition of his pioneering mercy flight to deliver diphtheria serum to Fort Vermilion, Alberta.^[1] He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1935 for his extensive services in northern Canada, including bush flying operations that connected remote communities.^[10] Additionally, in 1947, May received the United States Medal of Freedom with Bronze Palm for his meritorious assistance to the US Army Air Forces during World War II, particularly in training and search and rescue efforts.^[43] Following his death, May was honored with significant posthumous recognitions that underscored his lasting contributions to Canadian aviation. On November 15, 1974, he was designated a National Historic Person by the Government of Canada for his role as a pioneering bush pilot who advanced aerial services in the North.^[43] That same year, May was inducted into Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame, celebrated for his aeronautical achievements in challenging environments, from World War I combat to postwar northern exploration and rescue operations.^[1] May's legacy extends to various commemorations that highlight his influence on aviation history. In 2004, a rock on Mars, discovered by NASA's Opportunity rover in Endurance Crater, was informally named "wopmay" in his honor by project scientists, recognizing his legendary status as a bush pilot who navigated harsh terrains.^[44] His story has been documented in films, including the 1979 National Film Board of Canada animated short Wop May, which portrays his exploits as a leading bush pilot in the 1920s.^[45] Books such as Wings of a Hero by his son Denny May and Sheila Reid further preserve his narrative, emphasizing his innovations in aerial delivery and emergency response.^[1] May's enduring impact lies in his foundational role in establishing bush aviation as a vital lifeline for Canada's North, enabling medical evacuations, mail delivery, and law enforcement in inaccessible regions. His development of early search and rescue techniques during World War II influenced postwar protocols adopted by the Royal Canadian Air Force, inspiring generations of pilots to prioritize humanitarian missions in remote areas.^[10]

References

[1]
Wilfrid Reid May - Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame
Wilfrid Reid (Wop) May, OBE, DFC, was born in Carberry, Manitoba, on March 20, 1896. He moved with his family to Edmonton, Alberta, in 1902, and attended school ...
[2]
Wop May Uniquely Remembered - Alberta Aviation Museum
Born in Carberry MB in 1896, Wop May died while hiking with his son, Denny (1935-2021), in Utah in 1952. Wop was inducted as an original Member of Canada's ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography<|control11|><|separator|>
[3]
Wilfrid Reid May - The Aerodrome
On 21 April 1918, May seemed destined to become the 81st victim of Manfred von Richthofen. The Red Baron pursued May's Sopwith Camel along the Somme Canal ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[4]
The Fearless Canadian Flier Who Led the Red Baron to His Death
Dec 4, 2020 · On June 21, 1952, Wilfrid Reid “Wop” May, a giant in Canadian aviation, died of a stroke while hiking with his son to Timpanogos Cave, near American Fork, Utah.
[5]
Fort Vermillion Mercy Flight of 1929 - Alberta Aviation Museum
Through the heroic actions of Wop May and Vic Horner, only one death, that of Bert Logan, resulted from the diphtheria outbreak. All of the other inhabitants of ...
[6]
A matter of life and death: Diphtheria outbreak in Little Red River ...
Jan 28, 2019 · There was only one casualty. Wop May (right) and Vic Horner (left) on return from Mercy Flight.
[7]
Mad Trapper Aerial Manhunt Marks 90th Anniversary - Alberta ...
Whatever his true identity, the Mad Trapper of Rat River and Wop May are forever linked in the history books of the great Canadian north.
[8]
Wop May's Place In History - Up Here Publishing
Throughout his life, history either followed Manitoba-born Wilfrid Reid “Wop” May or he followed it. During May's second day deployed as a fighter pilot in ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
[9]
Wilfrid Reid 'Wop' May - Northwest Territories Timeline
One of the Northwest Territories' most famous bush pilots was Wilfrid Reid 'Wop' May. Born on April 20, 1896, in Carberry, Manitoba.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
[10]
Wop May
### Summary of Wop May's Early Life
[11]
Wilfrid “Wop” May: An Old-School Hero for a New Generation
Jul 28, 2014 · When I started researching Edmonton's golden son of aviation, Wilfrid “Wop” May ... 2 AOS, he also pioneered search and rescue operations for the ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
[12]
HeRMIS - PAA
**Summary of Wilfrid 'Wop' May's Early Life, Education, and Initial Interests:**
[13]
https://citymuseumedmonton.ca/2014/07/28/wilfrid-wop-may-an-old-school-hero-for-a-new-generation/
[14]
Memories | City of Edmonton
This page features memories collected through various projects and kept safe in the collections of the Edmonton Public Schools Archives and the City of ...
[15]
Wop May - The Canadian Encyclopedia
Jan 23, 2019 · Wop May was an aviator who served as a fighter pilot in the First World War. May finished the war as a flying ace, credited with 13 victories, ...
[16]
Taking Flight – The Wop May Chronicles
Feb 28, 2016 · On February 8, 1916 Wop May joined the Canadian Army – the 202 Edmonton Sportsman's Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, and took his initial ...Missing: enlistment | Show results with:enlistment
[17]
Fighter Pilot – The Wop May Chronicles
Jan 3, 2016 · Wop May continued to fly with 209 Squadron till the end of the war – he kept his log book until May 19, 1918 – the odds of living long as a pilot during World ...
[18]
21 April 1918 – The Red Baron is dead | airwar19141918
May 22, 2018 · Just before 1100, he was pursuing a Sopwith Camel at very low altitude, piloted by a novice pilot Lieutenant Wilfrid “Wop” May from 209 Squadron ...
[19]
Captain Roy Brown Shoots Down the Red Baron: 21 Apr 1918
An old friend, Wilfred "Wop" May, was flying his first combat mission. Brown had told May to break formation and head for the airfield if they sighted any ...
[20]
21 April 1918 | This Day in Aviation
Apr 21, 2025 · During the battle, the Red Baron was wounded in the chest and crash-landed near Vaux-sur-Somme, France. He was still alive when he was reached ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[21]
The First Airline – The Wop May Chronicles
Feb 28, 2016 · The company did a lot of flying 'round Edmonton & Central Alberta, performing stunts at airshows, taking people for their first ride in an aircraft.
[22]
The Distributed Proofreaders Canada eBook of Pilots of the Purple ...
Mar 28, 2021 · Back at the base there, “Wop” learned that Roy, after leaving Edmonton, had gone to Wright's Flying School at Dayton, Ohio, to study aviation at ...
[23]
Historic bush planes and their pilots honoured at Norman Wells fly-in
Jun 10, 2019 · This includes pilots like Wilfrid “Wop” May, a legend in Canadian aviation history and an Alberta native who was contracted by Imperial Oil to ...
[24]
Throwback Thursday: The Flying Ace and His Oilfield Race
Oct 15, 2024 · May and Gorman secured two uninsulated planes, named Vic and Rene, and outfitted them with skis–the first time that equipment was used in ...
[25]
Mercy Flight of 1929 – The Wop May Chronicles
Dec 28, 2015 · The doctor traveled by dog team back to Little Red River with Mr. Gray, and upon seeing Bert Logan, confirmed that he had diphtheria. Little ...
[26]
Bush Pilots & Barnstormers – Wilfrid 'Wop' May - Fort Edmonton Park
Mar 29, 2021 · Wilfrid May was an Edmontonian pilot famous for his pioneering of airplanes in Alberta. May gained his fame when he became involved in the last dogfight of the ...Missing: influence adventurous spirit
[27]
Edmonton in the 1920s
However, after the Mercy Flight out of Edmonton in January 1929, where pilots Wop May and Vic Horner brought diphtheria antitoxin to Fort Vermillion to ...Missing: Vermilion | Show results with:Vermilion<|control11|><|separator|>
[28]
Canada's Bush Pilots
On New Year's Eve 1928, word was received at Edmonton that a diphtheria epidemic had broken out at Fort Vermillion 600 miles to the north.Missing: Vermilion | Show results with:Vermilion
[29]
Albert Johnson, “The Mad Trapper of Rat River”
Jan 22, 2008 · It would be the first time the RCMP used aircraft in a manhunt. On 5 February, renowned bush pilot Wilfred “Wop” May landed in Aklavik in a ...Standoff at Rat River · Fatal Encounter · Wilderness Fugitive · Air Support
[30]
Mad Trapper - RCMP Grave
It is now time to review the murder case starting from the day when the Mad Trapper was first noticed in mid July, 1931 until the day of his death seven months ...
[31]
The RCMP Hunt for the Mad Trapper – The Wop May Chronicles
Feb 14, 2016 · I would recommend the book “The Mad Trapper of Rat River” by Dick North as the best. Two other authors have written good historical accounts as ...
[32]
History Preserved with the Link Trainer - Alberta Aviation Museum
Wop May served as the manager of the School during the Second World War. The ... high school in the 1950s. At that time the hangar home of the Alberta ...
[33]
[PDF] 1 Reel C12,329 Number 2 Air Observer School, Edmonton, Alberta ...
Information: Under the Joint Air Training Plan Organization, ten Air Observer Schools are to be established for the training of air observers.
[34]
Training facilities and communities of the British Commonwealth Air ...
Apr 21, 2022 · No. 2 Air Observer School. Edmonton, No. 16 Elementary Flying Training ... Summary. Total number of units/schools/fields/etc: 147 units/schools + ...
[35]
BCATP Station Edmonton - Bomber Command Museum Archives
"Wop" May, a well-known Edmonton pilot, was appointed general manager of the school. Canadian Airways operated the school until 1942 when Canadian Pacific ...
[36]
May, Wilfred Reid "Wop" - TracesOfWar.com
Mr. May, serving in the capacity of Superintendent of the Air Observer's School at Edmonton Municipal Airport and later as District Manager of Canadian Pacific ...Missing: training | Show results with:training<|control11|><|separator|>
[37]
Wop's WWII Para-rescue Service
General Manager was former bush pilot W.R. "Wop" May. The United States Army Air Force was supplying fighters and bombers to the Soviet Union – these would all ...
[38]
59 Wilfred May - Air Force Museum of Alberta
In the Second World War, May became supervisor of the BCATP Schools operated by Canadian Pacific Airlines and developed a trained parachute squad that ...
[39]
[PDF] RELUCTANCT TO RESCUE The RCAF and the ... - bac-lac.gc.ca
Mar 25, 2015 · After the war, Brigadier General Dale Gaffney of the United States. Army Air Corps presented Wilfrid May with the American Medal of Freedom for ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[40]
Wilfrid 'Wop' May – Canadian Flying Ace and Alberta Aviation Pioneer
Jun 28, 2017 · Wilfrid 'Wop' May – Canadian Flying Ace and Alberta Aviation Pioneer · [1] As a boy, a young cousin pronounced his name 'Woppie,' instead of, ' ...
[41]
Capt. Wilfrid Reid “Wop” May (1896-1952) - Find a Grave Memorial
Captain Wilfrid Reid “Wop” May, OBE, DFC (April 20, 1896 – June 21, 1952), is a celebrated World War I flying ace and a pioneering aviator.Missing: father Scottish immigrant
[42]
May, Wilfrid Reid 'Wop' National Historic Person - Parks Canada
The noted bush pilot "Wop" May was raised in Edmonton. During World War ... He was awarded the McKee Trophy for his contributions to Canadian aviation ...
[43]
Wonderful Wopmay | NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
Oct 18, 2004 · The rock's informal name refers to Wilfrid Reid "Wop" May, a Canadian bush pilot. Scientists believe that the lumps in Wopmay, like traits ...
[44]
Wop May - NFB
This short animated film is about Wop May, one of Canada's leading bush pilots in the 1920s. Watch nowMissing: activities | Show results with:activities