While not a name heard as often as other Victoria Cross winners, David Hornell’s legacy lives on today. Hornell was the first member of the RCAF to receive the Victoria Cross in the Second World War. His widow accepted the award in December 1944. A junior school is named in his honour in Toronto, down the shoreline from where he was born.

Hamilton, Ontario’s Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum restored a PBY Canso with the colours and markings of No. 162 Squadron, including call number 9754-P – the call number of the plane Hornell flew on his last flight. The Canso is dedicated to the memory of David Hornell. Toronto’s 700 David Hornell V.C. Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron was named in honour of the Victoria Cross winner as well.

Flight-Lieutenant David Ernest Hornell’s Victoria Cross is on display at the 1 Canadian Air Division Headquarters Museum in Winnipeg, Manitoba.