Medal of Bravery
The Medal of Bravery was created in 1972 and recognizes acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances.
Major Ryan Denis Smid MMM MB CD
Awarded on: September 15, 2011 Invested on: February 24, 2012
On October 12, 2007, a minivan swerved off the road and plunged into the Rideau Canal, in Ottawa, Ontario. Witnesses to the accident, Lorraine and Tony Fequet jumped into the water to reach the driver, without any thought for their own safety. Through the partially opened window, Mrs. Fequet held the driver’s head up out of the water just as Messrs. Akehurst, Fortin and Smid jumped in the canal to assist. While Messrs. Fortin and Smid tried repeatedly to break the vehicle’s window, Mr. Akehurst reached in and unbuckled the man’s seat belt. Constables Desaulniers, Flanagan and Percival then arrived on the scene, grabbed the seat cushion from their cruiser, and swam out to the van. With the help from the other rescuers, they brought the driver to shore using the cruiser seat as a flotation device. Sadly, the driver did not survive.
Master Corporal Joseph James Goetz MB CD
Awarded on: July 3, 1981 Invested on: September 18, 1981
On 27 October 1980, in an act of conspicuous bravery, MCpl. Joseph James Goetz of the Canadian Armed Forces, saved military personnel from serious injuries at Shilo Base, Manitoba. During an artillery exercise, a self propelled Howitzer loaded with propellant and high explosive ammunition caught fire. The crew rushed out and assisted one soldier who was on fire. MCpl. Goetz hurried to the scene, jumped up on the driver’s side of the vehicle, crawled through the hatch and turned off the master electrical switch to reduce the danger of a major explosion. He then ran to the rear of the Howitzer, entered the cab with a fire extinguisher and fought the blaze, after which he unfastened and removed the cartridge canisters stored in the gun. The presence of mind and quick action of MCpl. Goetz prevented an explosion and serious injury to nearby military personnel.
Master Bombardier M.J. Hackbart MB
Awarded on: April 25, 1983 Invested on: June 24, 1983
On 3 March 1981, at considerable risk to his own life, Pte. Michael John Hackbart, of Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, rescued an injured member of the Forces from an area of exploding artillery ammunition. During an airborne battery exercise in marginal wind conditions, heavy equipment was dropped, immediately followed by personnel. A parachute malfunction caused a jeep trailer containing twenty-eight rounds of 105 Millimetre high-explosive Howitzer ammunition to free fall to the ground. On impact the trailer burst into flames and troops were ordered to clear the drop zone. Pte. Hackbart, who had landed very close to the trailer, saw a fellow soldier closer to the fire, injured and unable to move. Realizing that the man was facing further injury, he went to assist. While ammunition was exploding, spreading debris everywhere, Pte. Hackbart dragged his comrade to safety.
