Star of Courage
Awarded on: 1983-01-17
Invested on: 1983-03-04
On the Saguenay River, on 12 August 1980, George Cross, wheelsman of the M.V. Ralph-Misener, showed outstanding leadership in the aftermath of an engine room explosion. After the blast Mr. Cross made three separate trips into the damaged area, facing the spreading fire, each time finding an injured shipmate and taking him to safety on the upper deck. Then, concerned that a cadet had not been accounted for, he attempted to search the cabins through blinding smoke. Undaunted, he put on a respiratory protection apparatus and re-entered the accommodation section, but found no one. Soon afterwards he went into the engine room to assist in fighting the fires that further threatened the vessel. Throughout the ordeal Mr. Cross distinguished himself by his prompt, persistent and courageous action.