Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: July 3, 1996
• Invested on: December 06, 1996

On June 2, 1995, Mr. Yowney went to the rescue of two firefighters after they became entangled in trees during an emergency airlift out of a remote area that lay in the path of an advancing wildland fire, northeast of Athabasca, Alberta. The smoke had prevented the helicopter from gaining enough altitude and the men, attached to the emergency line, were dragged through the tree tops until they became entangled. Mr. Yowney, who had been fishing nearby, arrived on the scene and managed to unhook the firefighter who was closest to the ground. As Mr. Yowney began pulling the injured man away from the rapidly advancing flames, the other victim fell from his harness to the ground. Mr. Yowney returned to help, but the man was dead. He continued to assist the first firefighter, tending to his injuries, and remained with him until help arrived and he was safely evacuated.