Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: November 21, 1988
• Invested on: June 02, 1989

Clarence David Hall, M.B.
Keith Eugene Rande, M.B.
John Willis, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On July 14, 1987, Conservation Officer Keith Rande, stationed at Hagensborg, near Bella Coola, B.C., accompanied by Clarence David Hall and John Willis and two hunting dogs, set out to search a thickly-wooded area for two dangerous grizzly bears which had been causing trouble in a heavily-populated area. The bears, a mother and a full-grown cub which had recently been wounded, had a record of aggressiveness towards humans, habituated garbage dumps and had twice previously been immobilized and relocated. No longer afraid of man, they were a threat to the livestock and particularly the children in the area. After releasing the dogs the men lost sight of them in the heavy bush and stopped to try to locate them. At that moment the older bear charged Mr. Rande, knocked him backwards and attacked him viciously. Afraid of hitting Mr. Rande, the other two men approached so closely they put themselves in grave danger in order to get a clear shot at the bear. Their shots wounded the animal and slowed it down enough that Mr. Rande was able to pull his pistol and shoot it again. Seriously injured, he returned to the truck while Messrs. Hall and Willis turned their attention to the younger bear, which was circling and charging at them. Although well aware of the danger in pursuing a wounded grizzly bear through thick brush they unhesitatingly tracked it down and shot it before returning to help Mr. Rande.