Medal of Bravery

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

Jared Douglas Gagen, M.B.
Warren Bruce Miller, M.B.
Edward Stirling, M.B.
Art Unruh, M.B.
William Watt, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On September 9, 2008, Jared Gagen, Bruce Miller, Edward Stirling, Art Unruh and William Watt came to the aid of a fellow fisherman, who was being attacked by a black bear, in Port Renfrew, British Columbia. The bear climbed onto the victim's boat at the dock and charged at him, biting him in the neck and shoulder area. Seeing the attack, Messrs. Miller and Gagen ran to help, hitting the bear with fishing gaffs, but were unsuccessful in getting it to release the wounded man. Messrs. Unruh, Watt and Stirling arrived with hammers and knives to stop the bear that thrashed at them without letting go of its victim. After they struck the bear many more times, the severely injured animal finally fell to the bottom of the boat. The victim was quickly rushed to hospital and survived the attack, thanks to the bravery and quick actions of his fellow fishermen.