Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: September 24, 1973
• Invested on: November 30, 1973

Working under the threat of a gasoline tank explosion, Cpl Ihor Yaroslaw Dedish of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Vernon, British Columbia, with the aid of other people, saved the life of a man who was pinned behind the steering wheel of his truck near Vernon, on April 15, 1972. Cpl Dedish was called to the scene of a collision involving three vehicles, including a tanker truck. On impact, the driver of one truck was trapped behind the wheel and the door was jammed shut. Fire broke out in the vicinity of the truck cab and prevented the policeman from reaching the victim through the passenger side. The rescuer returned to the driver's side of the vehicle and, with the help of several bystanders who used plywood sheets to shield themselves from the flames, persisted until the door was opened and the injured man was freed. Moments later, the gas tank exploded and the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The victim survived because of the cool determination and leadership shown by Cpl Dedish.