Star of Courage

• Awarded on: December 13, 2001
• Invested on: June 28, 2002

Sergeant Howard Anthony Thomas, S.C., C.D.
Sergeant Philip Claude Trevor, S.C., C.D.
Sergeant Dorwin Frederick Williams, S.C., C.D.
Star of Courage

Around midnight on March 23, 2000, Sgt Thomas, Sgt Trevor and Sgt Williams, then MCpl, were lowered into the Atlantic Ocean to rescue the twelve surviving sailors of a bulk freighter that had sunk off the coast of Nova Scotia, forcing its 31 crew members into the stormy seas. The rescuers were participating in a naval training exercise some 250 nautical miles away when the distress call was received. Although not trained in search and rescue operations, they volunteered to be lowered from two Sea King helicopters hovering in the dark above the six-metre swell. Sgt Thomas was lowered into the debris and oil-covered ocean and tried to reach one victim's side until he suffered a serious back injury when hit by a large wave. When he was hoisted back up, Sgt Williams took his place and continued the search for survivors. For more than one hour, he was tossed around by high winds while moving into position to recover victims. As he reached a group of three clinging to each other, the panicked men forced him underwater several times before he was able to isolate and airlift each of them to safety. He then was lowered into the sea once again to perform one last and difficult rescue of another sailor. Meanwhile, from the other helicopter, Sgt Trevor made eight dangerous descents into the raging seas. Although he was repeatedly dunked and dragged throughout the ordeal and nearly drowned from salt water and oil ingestion, he persevered in his efforts despite weakening strength until he had recovered six men from two life-rafts and the last two survivors still in the freezing water.