Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: December 12, 1997
• Invested on: May 15, 1998

On August 21, 1995, 21-year-old Nelson Aguiar drowned while attempting to rescue two friends from Lake Erie, at Port Colborne, Ontario. Mr. Aguiar was resting on the beach after swimming when he heard the frantic cries of two friends, caught in a strong undertow. Although asthmatic and a weak swimmer, he raced back to the water and swam through waves nearly two meters high which were pulling his friends farther out. When he neared one of the victims, a woman, Mr. Aguiar was submerged by a large wave and, unable to fight exhaustion, did not resurface. The woman was later saved by a lifeguard from a nearby resort and the other victim managed to reach the shore on his own. Mr. Aguiar's body was recovered shortly after.