Media Advisory - Governor General to Present 43 Decorations for Bravery

OTTAWA, Oct. 26, 2016 /CNW/ - His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will present 2 Stars of Courage and 41 Medals of Bravery at a ceremony at Rideau Hall, on Friday, October 28, 2016, at 10:30 a.m.

Created in 1972, Decorations for Bravery recognize people who risked their lives to try to save or protect the lives of others. The Cross of Valour (C.V.) recognizes acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril; the Star of Courage (S.C.) recognizes acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril; and the Medal of Bravery (M.B.) recognizes acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances.

A schedule for the presentation ceremony, a list of recipients and their citations, and a fact sheet on the Decorations for Bravery are enclosed.

CEREMONY SCHEDULE

Members of the media are asked to observe the following schedule:

9:45 a.m.:	Media start to arrive at Rideau Hall
10:30 a.m.:	Ceremony begins
	The Governor General speaks The Governor General presents the Decorations for Bravery
11:45 a.m.:	Interviews with recipients

RECIPIENTS

STAR OF COURAGE

Constable Curtis Barrett, S.C.	Chelsea, Que.
Lester Grant Lehmann, S.C.	Winnipeg, Man.

MEDAL OF BRAVERY

Ronald James Andersen, M.B.	Nain, N.L.
Cadet Master Seaman Kristianna Barton, M.B.	Surrey, B.C.
Constable Christopher Bolland, M.B.	Whitby, Ont.
Myles Brown, M.B.	Slave Lake, Alta.
Constable Robert Conant, M.B.	Stoney Creek, Ont.
Domenic Dubreuil, M.B.	Terrebonne, Que.
Constable James Arthur Elvish, M.B. and Bar	Neebing, Ont.
Daniel Patrick Greene, M.B.	Uxbridge, Ont.
Kristjan Gunderson, M.B.	Delta, B.C.
Harley David Eelis Hakanen, M.B.	Gorham, Ont.
Jesse Haw, M.B.	Ottawa, Ont.
Bryan Raymond Henzel, M.B.	Winnipeg, Man.
Michael Clayton Heide, M.B.	Kamloops, B.C.
Audrey Gay Hicks, M.B.	Arnes, Man.
Anthony Hockenhull, M.B.	Murillo, Ont.
Justin Patrick Huska, M.B.	Vernon, B.C.
Wilbert Kent, M.B.	Kamloops, B.C.
Constable Michael Klarenbeek, M.B.	Brampton, Ont.
Constable Ryan Todd Krupa, M.B.	Thunder Bay, Ont.
Constable Amyn "Dave" Lakha, M.B.	Brampton, Ont.
Stephen Lee, M.B.	Ottawa, Ont.
Richard Charles Louthood, M.B.	Ottawa, Ont.
Janice Dianne Lovering, M.B.	Washago, Ont.
Michael Lumahang, M.B. (posthumous)	Ottawa, Ont.
Chad Lyttle, M.B.	Lac La Biche, Alta.
Constable Andrea M. MacInnis, M.B.	Thunder Bay, Ont.
Daniel Maisonneuve, M.B.	Val-des-Monts, Que.
Dianne Matsalla, M.B.	Rama, Sask.
Lorne Matsalla, M.B.	Rama, Sask.
Constable Kristofer Poling, M.B.	Gorham, Ont.
Ernest Jason Quick, M.B.	Narol, Man.
Robert Reid, M.B.	Kamloops, B.C.
Stuart Rostant, M.B.	Cambridge Bay, NU
Geraldine Shewchuk, M.B.	Rama, Sask.
Phillip Leonard Shewchuk, M.B.	Rama, Sask.
Della Brynn Shore, M.B.	Arnes, Man.
Ean Smith, M.B.	Thamesville, Ont.
Eryn Patricia Smith, M.B.	Brampton, Ont.
Gordon S. Smith, M.B.	Navan, Ont.
Gordon Paul Kenneth Tourand, M.B.	Winnipeg, Man.
Larry Whitty, M.B.	Ottawa, Ont.

CITATIONS

STAR OF COURAGE

Constable Curtis Barrett, S.C.
Chelsea, Quebec
RCMP Corporal Dany Daigle, S.C.
Ottawa, Ontario
RCMP Constable Martin Fraser, S.C.
Gatineau, Quebec
Constable Louis Létourneau, S.C.
Gatineau, Quebec
RCMP Sergeant Richard Rozon, S.C.
Gatineau, Quebec
Constable Samearn Son, S.C.
Ottawa, Ontario
Sergeant-at-Arms Kevin Vickers, S.C.
Miramichi, New Brunswick and Dublin, Ireland
RCMP Constable Michelle Bergeron, M.B.
Ottawa, Ontario
RCMP Constable Gary Bubelis, M.B.
Spencerville, Ontario
RCMP Constable Somoza Célestin, M.B.
Ottawa, Ontario
Corporal Maxim Malo, M.B.
Gatineau, Quebec
RCMP Constable Sylvie Marcoux, M.B.
Embrun, Ontario
RCMP Constable Michel Palmer, M.B.
Rockland, Ontario
RCMP Constable Patrick Ruest, M.B.
Embrun, Ontario
Constable Charles Thom, M.B.
Ottawa, Ontario
RCMP Constable Herbert Waye, M.B.
Oxford Mills, Ontario

On October 22, 2014, members of the House of Commons Security Services and the RCMP were instrumental in stopping an armed man who had stormed the Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, Ontario. Constable Son was stationed at the front entrance when he spotted the man entering with a concealed rifle. The constable lunged to gain control of the firearm, but it discharged and struck him in the leg. Drawn to the Rotunda by the noise, Corporal Malo and Constable Thom took cover and exchanged several rounds with the gunman after he entered the building. Constable Létourneau tracked the gunman down the Hall of Honour toward the Library of Parliament and fired at him several times. RCMP Sergeant Rozon, Corporal Daigle and constables Barrett, Bergeron, Bubelis, Célestin, Fraser, Marcoux, Palmer, Ruest and Waye, who had assembled outside the Peace Tower, entered the Centre Block. Supported by their colleagues, Sergeant Rozon, Corporal Daigle and constables Barrett and Fraser assumed a tactical formation (IARD) as they charged down the Hall of Honour. With the shooter now cornered in an alcove leading to the Library, Sergeant-at-Arms Vickers, after being advised of the shooter's location, dove to the floor in front of him and fired his weapon. RCMP Constable Barrett walked directly toward the gunman while also firing his weapon. The collective actions of these 16 individuals brought the incident to an end in less than three minutes, and avoided further tragedy.

The Bravery Decorations awarded to other members of the group were presented to them at a previous ceremony. 

Lester Grant Lehmann, S.C.
Winnipeg, Manitoba

On January 31, 2014, Lester Lehmann defended 26 Canadian students from armed intruders in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Two men were trying to access the hotel rooms where the students were staying. When Mr. Lehmann confronted the assailants, they beat him and left him injured. Undeterred, he grabbed a bat and charged after the men, hitting one of them on the head and knocking him down. The other suspect shot Mr. Lehmann several times before he fled the scene, dragging his unconscious partner with him.

MEDAL OF BRAVERY

Ronald James Andersen, M.B.
Nain, Newfoundland and Labrador

On May 6, 2015, James Andersen rescued two people whose snowmobile had plunged through the ice near Nain Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador. Witnessing the skidoo sink ahead of him, Mr. Andersen used a sled attached to his snowmobile to get closer to the edge of the hole. He grabbed the first victim by her jacket and threw a rope for the second victim to pull himself out. Mr. Andersen then brought the victims back to shore on his snowmobile to care for them.

Cadet Master Seaman Kristianna Barton, M.B.
Surrey, British Columbia

On September 29, 2013, Cadet Master Seaman Kristianna Barton rescued a man who was in danger of drowning after he had fallen off a dock into Gull Lake, north of Kaladar, Ontario. Ms. Barton jumped into the cold water and made her way out to the victim, who could not swim. The man panicked and pushed Ms. Barton under the water several times, but she still managed to bring him back to the dock.

Constable Christopher Bolland, M.B.
Whitby, Ontario

On August 26, 2013, Constable Chris Bolland rescued a man from a burning car in Toronto, Ontario. After finding the victim trapped and unconscious inside the vehicle, Constable Bolland used a water hose to douse the fire before he tore off the jammed driver's door with his bare hands. He then pulled the victim out and administered first aid while waiting for help to arrive.

Myles Brown, M.B.
Slave Lake, Alberta
Chad Lyttle, M.B.
Lac La Biche, Alberta

On August 14, 2014, biologists Myles Brown and Chad Lyttle risked their lives to protect a colleague who was being attacked by a cougar at a research camp near Grande Prairie, Alberta. Responding to the victim's cries, they found her being dragged into the bushes by the wild animal. Without any equipment at hand, Mr. Brown ran at the cougar to kick it off the victim. Both men managed to keep the cougar away while they provided first aid to the victim. With the help of other colleagues who had arrived at the scene, they secured the perimeter against the still-prowling wild cat until help arrived.

Constable Robert Conant, M.B.
Stoney Creek, Ontario

On April 18, 2015, Constable Robert Conant, of the Ontario Provincial Police, rescued a man stranded on an embankment in Bronte Creek Provincial Park, in Oakville, Ontario. The victim had fallen approximately 20 metres off a cliff, and was clinging to a branch that prevented him from plummeting further into a gorge. Constable Conant tied a rope to his waist and, as colleagues held on, lowered himself down the crumbling rocks to secure the victim. Local firefighters arrived shortly after and brought both of them to safety.

Domenic Dubreuil, M.B.
Terrebonne, Quebec

On September 30, 2013, off-duty firefighter Domenic Dubreuil rescued several victims from a four-car pileup on a highway near Rapid City, South Dakota, U.S.A. While assisting a woman pinned inside her car, Mr. Dubreuil noticed smoke coming from a truck where bystanders were attempting to remove the driver. He went over to the vehicle, tore out the window and partially slid inside. He managed to free the victim's legs and pull him out just moments before an explosion occurred. Mr. Dubreuil then protected another victim from the burning embers while waiting for further assistance.

Constable James Arthur Elvish, M.B. and Bar
Neebing, Ontario
Constable Ryan Todd Krupa, M.B.
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Constable Andrea M. MacInnis, M.B.
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Constable Kristofer Poling, M.B.
Gorham, Ontario

On October 22, 2011, constables James Elvish, Ryan Krupa, Andrea MacInnis and Kristofer Poling rescued several people from a burning hotel in Thunder Bay, Ontario. After helping to evacuate occupants from another part of the building, these officers made their way to a three-storey tower attached to the hotel. Without any protective clothing or breathing apparatus, they made their way up to the third floor through the thick, black smoke. They checked every room and assisted the remaining occupants outside to safety.

This is the second Medal of Bravery awarded to Constable Elvish.

Daniel Patrick Greene, M.B.
Uxbridge, Ontario

On January 30, 2015, Dan Greene rescued a man whose all-terrain vehicle had gone through the ice on Buckhorn Lake, in the Municipality of Trent Lakes, Ontario. Mr. Greene saw the accident, grabbed a broom and ran to assist the victim, who was holding onto his overturned ATV to prevent himself from slipping under the ice. After several attempts and despite the threat posed by the nearby open water, Mr. Greene managed to pull the victim onto solid ice and stayed with him until help arrived.

Kristjan Gunderson, M.B.
Delta, British Columbia
Michael Clayton Heide, M.B.
Kamloops, British Columbia
Justin Patrick Huska, M.B.
Vernon, British Columbia

On February 27, 2014, Kris Gunderson, Mike Heide and Justin Huska rescued two people trapped in a burning vehicle near Cache Creek, British Columbia. Alerted by a passenger waving for attention through the car's sunroof, Mr. Huska pulled the woman to safety before returning with Messrs. Gunderson and Heide for the second victim. Despite the flames and smoke coming through the broken windows, they used a pry bar to gain access to the driver and brought him a safe distance away.

Harley David Eelis Hakanen, M.B.
Gorham, Ontario
Anthony Hockenhull, M.B.
Murillo, Ontario

On May 26, 2010, firefighters Harley Hakanen and Anthony Hockenhull rescued a woman from a vehicle submerged in the waters of Lake Superior, in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The firefighters swam out some 20 metres to reach the vehicle and, after several attempts, managed to break through one of its windows. With the assistance of a police officer, they extracted the victim and brought her to the surface. The victim and the rescuers were then pulled to shore.

Jesse Haw, M.B.
Michael Lumahang, M.B. (posthumous)
Ottawa, Ontario

On August 23, 2014, Michael Lumahang and Jesse Haw came to the rescue of a young boy who was in danger of drowning in the Ottawa River, in Ottawa, Ontario. The victim had slipped on a rock and into the swift-moving water. Mr. Lumahang first attempted to reach the boy using a fishing rod but his efforts proved futile. Without any hesitation, and despite not knowing how to swim, he jumped into the turbulent water after the victim. Witness to the scene, Mr. Haw dove in to tow them both toward the riverbank. Unfortunately, the strength of the current forced him to let go of Mr. Lumahang, who disappeared beneath the surface and drowned.

The Medal of Bravery awarded to the late Michael Lumahang will be presented to his mother, Mrs. Aquilina Conulibang Tremblay.

Derron Orlando Brown, M.B.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Bryan Raymond Henzel, M.B.
Winnipeg, Manitoba

On August 5, 2012, Derron Brown and Bryan Henzel rescued three people from a burning recreational vehicle following a head-on collision in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The men helped two passengers out through a rear window before entering the smoke-filled cabin to free the injured driver and bring him to safety.

The Medal of Bravery awarded to Mr. Derron Orlando Brown will be presented to him at a later date.

Audrey Gay Hicks, M.B.
Della Brynn Shore, M.B.
Arnes, Manitoba

On June 1, 2014, lifeguards Audrey Hicks and Brynn Shore rescued two men whose sailboat had capsized into the cold waters of Lake Winnipeg near Arnes, Manitoba. Navigating a canoe through rough waters, the women paddled for half an hour to reach the victims, but the waves caused them to overshoot their position. They finally reached the men and hauled them into the canoe. The two women then fought against the waves that threatened to tip their overloaded boat and successfully reached the shore.

Thomas Charles Blair, M.B.
Wilbert Kent, M.B.
Robert Reid, M.B.
Kamloops, British Columbia

On January 23, 2013, Thomas Blair, Wilbert Kent and Robert Reid rescued a woman who was in danger of drowning in the Thompson River, in Kamloops, British Columbia. The woman had fallen through the ice while trying to rescue her dog some 20 metres from the shore. Forming a human chain on the thin, fragile ice, Messrs. Blair, Kent and Reid managed to pull the victim out of the water and bring her to safety.

The Medal of Bravery awarded to Mr. Blair was presented to him at a previous ceremony.

Constable Michael Klarenbeek, M.B.
Constable Amyn "Dave" Lakha, M.B.
Brampton, Ontario

On March 28, 2014, constables Mike Klarenbeek and Dave Lakha prevented an armed individual from entering a courthouse in Brampton, Ontario. The man attempted to force his way past Constable Klarenbeek and shot him directly in the stomach when challenged. Although badly wounded, Constable Klarenbeek returned fire. Constable Lakha then engaged the gunman and together, the officers brought down the gunman and prevented further tragedy.

Bruce D. Leclair, M.B.
Ottawa, Ontario
Richard Charles Louthood, M.B.
Ottawa, Ontario
Gordon S. Smith, M.B.
Navan, Ontario
Larry Whitty, M.B.
Ottawa, Ontario

On August 5, 2013, Bruce Leclair, Richard Louthood, Gordon Smith and Larry Whitty pulled an unconscious man from a burning vehicle in Ottawa, Ontario. The vehicle had crashed into a concrete retaining wall and caught fire, trapping the driver inside. Unable to open the door or put out the rapidly spreading flames, the rescuers persevered in their efforts until they succeeded in pulling the man out through the broken window. Moments later, the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames.

The Medal of Bravery awarded to Mr. Leclair will be presented to him at a later date.

Stephen Lee, M.B.
Ottawa, Ontario

On February 10, 2009, Stephen Lee was injured when he tried to protect the attendant of an outdoor skating rink who was being attacked in Ottawa, Ontario. The man was being beaten and threatened with a knife after he had asked several intoxicated youths to leave the premises. The young perpetrators continued their attack on the severely injured victim, and on Mr. Lee, until more people arrived to stop the fight.

Janice Dianne Lovering, M.B.
Michael Lloyd Serbinek, M.B.
Washago, Ontario

On April 9, 2011, Janice Lovering and Micheal Serbinek pulled an elderly man from a burning house in Washago, Ontario. Mrs. Lovering had crawled inside the house and tried to pull her neighbour out but she had to abandon her efforts due to the heavy smoke. Despite the spreading flames and intense heat, Mr. Serbinek entered the house, crawled to the victim and dragged him outside. Sadly, the man did not survive.

The Medal of Bravery awarded to Mr. Serbinek was presented to him at a previous ceremony.

Daniel Maisonneuve, M.B.
Val-des-Monts, Quebec

On June 6, 2015, Daniel Maisonneuve rescued two individuals from the Ottawa River after their ultralight plane crashed near Masson-Angers, Quebec. From his boat nearby, Mr. Maisonneuve jumped into the water and swam to the wreck. He grabbed the first victim, who was floating in a pool of jet fuel next to the cabin, and brought him back to his boat. He then swam out a second time and dove underwater to unhook the seatbelt of the unconscious pilot. He then brought the individual to the surface and towed him to safety, seconds before the plane sank.

Dianne Matsalla, M.B.
Lorne Matsalla, M.B.
Geraldine Shewchuk, M.B.
Phillip Leonard Shewchuk, M.B.
Rama, Saskatchewan

On July 27, 2010, Lorne and Dianne Matsalla and Phillip and Geraldine Shewchuk rescued a farmer who had been shot at by an armed man in Rama, Saskatchewan. The victim was working in a field when the assailant suddenly fired his rifle at him. Alerted to the situation, the Matsallas and the Shewchuks quickly drove out to the victim's location. Unaware of the shooter's whereabouts and at risk of being shot themselves, they tracked down the victim, helped him into one of the vehicles and drove him to safety.

Paul Jakob Peters, M.B.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Daniel Leroy Privé, M.B.
Île-des-Chênes, Manitoba
Ernest Jason Quick, M.B.
Narol, Manitoba

On October 18, 2012, Paul Peters, Danny Privé and Jason Quick rescued a man from a burning truck in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The driver of a pick-up truck had collided with and become trapped between two other vehicles, which had caught fire. To add to the danger, several jerry cans had toppled over and spilled fuel on the ground. Despite the risk involved, Messrs. Peters, Privé and Quick jumped on the hood of the pick-up, pulled off the damaged windshield and helped the driver escape.

The Medals of Bravery awarded to Messrs. Peters and Privé were presented to them at a previous ceremony.

Stuart Rostant, M.B.
Cambridge Bay, Nunavut

On July 10, 2014, Stuart Rostant rescued a young boy from the icy waters of Freshwater Creek in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. When Mr. Rostant realized that the child, who had been playing in the water, was now in distress, he did not hesitate to jump in to reach his side. Struggling against the current, he swam back to safety while holding the young victim.

Daryl Roy, M.B.
Palgrave, Ontario
Ean Smith, M.B.
Thamesville, Ontario
Eryn Patricia Smith, M.B.
Brampton, Ontario

On April 23, 2014, paramedics Ean Smith and Eryn Smith and firefighter Daryl Roy remained in a dangerous zone to rescue three firefighters injured in a warehouse explosion in Mississauga, Ontario. A violent blast triggered by toxic materials that had caught on fire caused a wall to collapse, burying the firefighters under the rubble; the explosion also blew off Mr. Roy's safety equipment. Despite flying debris, heavy smoke and secondary explosions, Mr. Roy, Mr. Smith and Ms. Smith combined their efforts to recover the firefighters, and moved them from the intense heat and flames to safety.

The Medal of Bravery awarded to Mr. Roy will be presented to him at a later date.

Gordon Paul Kenneth Tourand, M.B.
Winnipeg, Manitoba

On September 18, 2014, building manager Gord Tourand put his own safety at risk to evacuate the occupants of a hotel during a devastating fire in Dauphin, Manitoba. After the flames broke out in the early morning hours, Mr. Tourand went to every room in order to evacuate the residents, many of whom were elderly. Undeterred by the thick smoke, he then returned inside the dwelling and attempted to put out the flames, before the smoke forced him to retreat.

FACT SHEET ON THE DECORATIONS FOR BRAVERY

BACKGROUND

The Decorations for Bravery were created in 1972. They recognize people who risk their lives and choose to defy their own instinct of survival to try to save a loved one or a perfect stranger whose life is in immediate danger.

The three levels of the Decorations for Bravery reflect the degree to which the recipients put themselves at risk:

The Cross of Valour (C.V.) recognizes acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril.
The Star of Courage (S.C.) recognizes acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril.
The Medal of Bravery (M.B.) recognizes acts of bravery in hazardous circumstances.

ELIGIBILITY AND NOMINATION

Anyone is free to propose the name of a person who has risked injury or death in an attempt to rescue another person. The incident need not have taken place in Canada, and the rescuer need not be Canadian, but Canadians or Canadian interests must be involved. The decorations may be awarded posthumously.

Nominations must be made within two years of the incident, or within two years after a public entity, including a court, a quasi-judicial tribunal or a coroner, has concluded its review of the circumstances surrounding the incident or act of bravery.

For more information on the Decorations for Bravery, please visit www.gg.ca/honours.

SOURCE Governor General of Canada

Media information: Emily Keogh, Rideau Hall Press Office, 613-993-2569, [email protected] ;Follow GGDavidJohnston and RideauHall on Facebook and Twitter.