Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: September 28, 2000
• Invested on: June 22, 2001

Guardsman Robert Stanley Dorie, M.B.
Luc Daniel Gagnon, M.B.
Corporal Louis Gerard Turpin, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On July 4, 1999, Gdsm Robert Dorie and then Cpl Luc Gagnon of the Governor General's Foot Guards, and Cpl Louis Turpin of the Canadian Forces Reserves rescued a woman whose car had plunged into the Rideau Canal in Ottawa, Ontario. Alerted by the sound of screeching tires, the trio ran to the scene and saw the airborne vehicle hit the weed-choked water, some 15 metres from shore. Gdsm Dorie and Cpl Gagnon were first to reach the screaming woman, a non-swimmer, who managed to climb out of a window just as her vehicle sank to the bottom. Displaying incredible strength induced by despair, the victim grabbed Gdsm Dorie, repeatedly forced him under the surface and held him there. Seeing that the man was in danger, Cpl Gagnon attempted to help but he too succumbed to the frantic flailing of the panic-stricken victim. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Cpl Turpin swam over and grabbed hold of the woman who succeeded in overpowering him as well. Undeterred, Cpls Turpin and Gagnon managed to pull her to the side of the canal where others took over. Cpl Gagnon then assisted Gdsm Dorie out of the water.