Star of Courage

• Awarded on: December 5, 1977
• Invested on: June 23, 1978

Jacob Greidanus rescued a man from a burning helicopter which crashed at a training ground in Ottawa on 15 June 1976. The man was instructing Mr. Greidanus in flying when, at a low altitude, the aircraft suddenly veered to one side and crashed to the ground. On impact it burst into flames, trapping the men inside. Mr. Greidanus was able to crawl from the wreckage and put out the fire on his clothes but the pilot remained tied down by the seat belt. With utter disregard for his own safety the rescuer reached inside the aircraft and freed the victim who was engulfed in flames. The pilot was dragged from the inferno, and the fire on his clothes extinguished, but his life could not be saved.