Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: February 25, 2010
• Invested on: May 06, 2011

Chad Verch, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On November 12, 2008, Chad Verch rescued three people from a possible drowning, in Punta de Mita, Mexico. Mr. Verch had been surfing when someone on shore alerted him to a swimmer in trouble. Upon reaching the area, he saw an exhausted lifeguard desperately trying to get an elderly woman onto his surfboard. Struggling against the strong current and high waves, Mr. Verch towed the surfboard, with the woman and the lifeguard hanging onto it, towards shore, where others took over and cared for them. Mr. Verch, this time accompanied by another hotel lifeguard, went back into the water to rescue two more tourists, who were caught in the heavy surf. Thanks to Mr. Verch's determination, all three victims survived.