Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: August 4, 1987
• Invested on: September 25, 1987

Lionel Eugene Hicks, M.B.
Reginald Paul Vidito, M.B.
Larry Allister White, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On the evening of January 11, 1986, in Picton, Ontario, Paul Vidito heard an explosion outside and cries for help. Responding without thought of personal safety, he rushed from his home, encountering Lionel Hicks and Larry White in the street. All three proceeded to the Villeneuve Castle restaurant, where leaking propane gas had ignited, destroying the main dining area and causing the second floor to collapse on patrons. Entering through the main door, they were met by a victim who showed them the location of two others trapped by debris, composed of beams, boards, plaster, tables and chairs. They quickly removed these two, as well as another nearby. Mr. Vidito then assisted local firefighters to dig out a female victim buried from head to waist in bricks and lumber, after which he assisted ambulance attendants outside. Messrs. Hicks and White, meanwhile, were assisting trained rescue workers now present on the scene.