Star of Courage

• Awarded on: July 2, 1979
• Invested on: September 21, 1979

On 26 June 1978 John Cooper, aged sixteen, saved a girl from drowning at Port Stanley. The girl and two cousins had been standing on the end of a breakwater jutting out into Lake Erie when great waves swept them into the water. Despite their struggles to stay afloat amid ten-foot waves, only the girl was able to do so. Her cries alerted John Cooper who was fishing nearby. Not a strong swimmer he nevertheless dived fully clothed off the breakwater. Judging the right distance for the current and waves to carry him out to the girl, he brought her back to safety with great difficulty and they were assisted onto the breakwater by others.