Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: March 16, 1981
• Invested on: June 19, 1981

Robert Melis, M.B.
Joseph Szimanski, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

Robert Melis and Joseph Szimanski combined efforts to remove a woman from the burning wreckage of a car following a collision on November 4, 1979. The car careened against a building and burst into flames after having been hit by another vehicle. The two men rushed at once to the scene of the accident but were forced back when the front of the car exploded. Although flames were covering the car and the heat was extreme, Mr. Szimanski reached inside the car and, assisted by Mr. Melis, pulled the unconscious and seriously injured woman from the raging fire to safety. Seconds later the whole car exploded.