Star of Courage

• Awarded on: March 14, 1983
• Invested on: December 30, 1983

Louis Dussault, S.C.
Dinh Tri Nguyen, S.C.,
Star of Courage

Louis Dussault and Dinh Tri Nguyen were involved in a hold-up which occurred at the Sherbrooke Street Branch of the Banque Nationale du Canada, on the morning of 30 July 1981. An escaped convict, sentenced for murder, held bank employees and customers hostage. Mr. Dussault, the bank manager, was ordered at gunpoint to open the vault and place a large amount of money in a suitcase, he remained calm in order to protect innocent lives. Later, Mr. Dussault persuaded the man to release two elderly customers and one employee. Twice he opened the door to let them out and could have fled, but instead chose to remain inside. Aware that another employee was verging on nervous collapse and wishing the incident to end as quickly as possible, Mr. Dussault volunteered to be used as a human shield for the robber. Mr. Nguyen, a bank customer, fearful for the safety of all involved and determined to intervene, made deliberate attempts to distract the gunman. When he noticed that the thief had changed the hand in which he held his revolver, he rushed him, grasping for the weapon. In the ensuing scramble two shots were fired, wounding Mr. Nguyen seriously. Seeing that the customer was bleeding profusely, and disregarding the criminal's threats, Mr. Dussault and the bank's accountant succeeded in overpowering and holding him until the police arrived minutes later. It is beyond doubt that Mr. Dussault and Mr. Nguyen displayed courage and presence of mind throughout this ordeal. Mr. Nguyen recovered in hospital.