Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: August 24, 1972
• Invested on: June 08, 1973

Major John A.S. Walker, M.B., (Retired)
Medal of Bravery

On the afternoon of June 30, 1968, a sudden squall blew up over Lac Deschênes near Ottawa. Winds gusting up to 65 miles an hour caused many pleasure boats to capsize. A catamaran overturned trapping two women and a girl in the cabin. Maj. John A.S. Walker and a colleague, who had already rescued a man, arrived on the scene where they found others considering ways and means to assist the victims. Maj. Walker at once dove down under the overturned boat to examine the situation. Surfacing, he was able to make himself heard by the trapped trio. He passed a rope underneath the catamaran, instructing each in turn to tie the rope around her waist. Maj. Walker submerged and assisted each of the women in turn out of the cabin through the hatch. Maj. Walker's resourcefulness and persistence prevented what might have been a tragic incident.