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Four Nova Scotians Awarded Decorations for Bravery |
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Written by Governor General of Canada
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Thursday, 10 November 2005 |
OTTAWA — Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, announced today the awarding of seven Decorations for Bravery including four from Nova Scotia.
Recipients will be invited to receive their decorations at a ceremony to be held at a later date. All recipients are afforded the honour of adding 'M.B.' to their names.
A Medal of Bravery will be awarded to Matthew Thomas Billard, M.B., Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Shawn Edward Darby, M.B., Mount Uniacke, Nova Scotia, David P. Major, M.B., Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Dean Vincent Metzler, M.B., Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia.
On October 20, 2004, these four Nova Scotians saved two severely injured teenage boys from a fiery death, in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia. While stopped at an intersection, Matthew Billard and Dean Metzler witnessed a speeding car strike a utility pole and burst into flames. Without hesitation, the two 17-year-old friends jumped out of their vehicle and ran to the scene. While Matthew was able to open the front passenger door, removing one victim from the burning wreck and pulling him to safety, Dean reached in through the shattered back window in a vain attempt to save the boy in the back seat, who had been killed on impact. Meanwhile, Shawn Darby and David Major had arrived on the scene to help. The four rescuers combined their efforts and, despite the intensifying heat and flames, managed to extricate the unconscious driver whose legs were pinned under the dashboard.
The Decorations for Bravery were established in 1972 as part of the Canadian Honours System. The Cross of Valour is awarded for acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril. The Star of Courage is awarded for acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril. The Medal of Bravery is awarded for acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances. |
