Max Bernays CGM CD (January 3, 1910 – March 30, 1974) was a

Royal Canadian Naval Reserve The Naval Reserve (NAVRES, french: link=no, Réserve navale) is the Primary Reserve component of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). The primary mission of the NAVRES is to force generate sailors and teams for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operations, inc ...

Acting Chief Petty Officer who fought in the

Battle of the Atlantic The Battle of the Atlantic, the longest continuous military campaign in World War II, ran from 1939 to the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945, covering a major part of the naval history of World War II. At its core was the Allied naval blockade ...

during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

. He was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal for his actions aboard on August 6, 1942.

Early life

Bernays was born in 1910 in Vancouver, British Columbia. He had served in the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) in 1929 and served with

Canadian National Steamships The Canadian National Railway Company (french: Compagnie des chemins de fer nationaux du Canada) is a Canadian Class I railroad, Class I freight railway headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, which serves Canada and the Midwestern United States, M ...

in the 1930s.

Wartime service

Bernays was recalled by the

Royal Canadian Navy The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN; french: Marine royale canadienne, ''MRC'') is the Navy, naval force of Canada. The RCN is one of three environmental commands within the Canadian Armed Forces. As of 2021, the RCN operates 12 frigates, four attack s ...

at the outbreak of the Second World War. By March 1942 Bernays had achieved the rank of Acting Chief Petty Officer and was the Coxswain aboard HMCS ''Assiniboine'', a

River-class destroyer The River-class destroyer (re-designated in 1913 as the E class) was a class of torpedo boat destroyer built for the Royal Navy at the turn of the 20th century, and which saw extensive service in World War I. The class introduced new features t ...

Actions aboard HMCS ''Assiniboine''

On August 6, 1942, the ''Assiniboine'' engaged the German U-Boat '' U-210''. A fierce gun-battle ensued, causing a major fire aboard the ''Assiniboine''. Lieutenant-Commander John H. Stubbs, commander of the ''Assiniboine'', maneuvered the vessel to ram the U-Boat. Bernays ordered his telegraph operators who were giving orders to the engine room to leave, as the fire began to surround the wheelhouse. Bernays manned the helm and did the work of the two telegraph operators while Stubbs gave orders to ram ''U-210''. As the gun battle grew in intensity, ''Assiniboine'' rammed ''U-210'' abaft of her conning tower, crippling the submarine. 38 of the 48 German crew were rescued. ''Assiniboines losses were minimal, with one killed and 13 wounded.

Recognition of service

Bernays was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal for his heroic actions. His actions displayed such a degree of courage that a prominent flag officer in the RCN recommended him for the Victoria Cross. Rear Admiral L.W. Murray believed that "the manner in which this comparatively young rating remained at his post, alone, and carried out the 133 telegraph orders as well as the many helm orders necessary to accomplish the destruction of this submarine, whilst the wheelhouse was being pierced by explosive shell from the enemy's Oerlikon gun and his only exit was cut off by fire, is not only in keeping with the highest traditions of the Service but adds considerably to those traditions. I am proud of the privilege to recommend Acting Chief Petty Officer Bernays for the Victoria Cross." Bernays did not receive the Victoria Cross due to conflicts with the British Admiralty, which was hesitant upon receiving the recommendation despite a push from Canadian authorities. This was one of the first cases where the Canadian Government had intervened in the process, but like many other cases after it, the attempt failed.

Post-war

At the close of the Second World War, Bernays remained in the RCN and later served in the Korean War. His medals can be seen on display at the CFB Esquimalt Museum. A

Harry DeWolf-class offshore patrol vessel ''Harry DeWolf''-class offshore patrol vessels are warships of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) built within the Government of Canada Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS) procurement project, part of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy ...

to be named for Bernays, was authorized by the government. In January 2021, reports indicated that the vessel would be launched in November and the vessel delivered to the

in 2022 for use as "Canada's third Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship". The ship was delivered to the RCN on September 2, 2022.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bernays, Max 1910 births 1974 deaths People from Vancouver Royal Canadian Navy personnel of World War II