Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: April 5, 1976
• Invested on: June 28, 1976

George Marshal Mink, M.B.
Frederick Alvin Wiess, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On June 17, 1974 at considerable risk to their own lives, Frederick Wiess and George Mink went to the aid of two men whose boat capsized in the rapids of Caribou Lake, Manitoba. When he noticed the two outdoors men helplessly being tossed around in the water, Mr. Wiess launched an outboard motorboat and manoeuvred the craft in the turbulence to reach one of the victims. Advising the canoeist to grip the side of the boat, he towed him ashore but in the process, broke the shear pin of the motor. Undeterred, Mr. Wiess rowed out into the treacherous waters a second time in pursuit of the other victim. In the meantime, George Mink and a rescue party in a larger craft had located the other victim and were moving in on him. With complete disregard for his own safety, Mr. Mink jumped into the rapids and grabbed hold of the man but they were buffeted so violently that the rescuer lost his grip. With almost all of his energy spent, Mr. Mink was washed ashore while the victim disappeared below the surface and was drowned. By then, Mr. Wiess had safely regained the shore.