Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: December 8, 1994
• Invested on: June 23, 1995

On May 17, 1994, Mr. Yanitski rescued two girls from a burning house in Nanaimo, British Columbia. Responding to the mother's frantic call for help, he entered the neighbour's house by the basement door, but was forced out by dense smoke and intense heat. Mr. Yanitski smashed the window to the girls' room and climbed inside but, unable to see or breathe, had to retreat. Determined not to give up, he re-entered and, this time, found one of the youngsters, passing her out the window. He returned for the second child and was able to get her safely through the window before leaving the house.