Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: June 16, 2004
• Invested on: February 04, 2005

On December 24, 2003, Jorge DaSilva rescued a woman from drowning in Wallaceburg, Ontario. Mr. DaSilva had just arrived to work when he noticed the woman screaming for help, desperately hanging onto a bridge post in the middle of the nearby Sydenham River. Mr. DaSilva quickly ran over, removed part of his winter clothing and jumped into the freezing water. He swam some six metres to the distressed woman, who was now battling the deep river's strong current. Reaching her side, he grabbed her by her coat and began an exhausting swim back until he could touch the debris-covered bottom. Dragging the victim, he then treaded water, inflicting several bruises and cuts to his hands and feet, until they had safely reached the ice-covered bank.