Has executed over 600 rescue missions as he managed to land his specially modified aircraft under extreme conditions on snow covered glaciers.
He was a Swiss aviator, search and rescue pilot whose heroic actions gave him national hero status.
He was also known as the Eagle from Sion or King of Mountain pilots.
For his rescues he received a lot of recognitions and medals. On the 17th of April 1959 he received from Pope Johan XXIII the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great insignia.