Star of Courage

• Awarded on: April 22, 2010
• Invested on: May 06, 2011

Michael Thomas Westwell, S.C., C.D.
Star of Courage

On March 4, 2008, missionary Michael Westwell courageously fought to protect his wife, during a home invasion in Malawi, Africa. In the early hours of the morning, Mr. Westwell was awakened by the noise of several men forcing their way into the house. Mr. Westwell charged at the men to prevent them from gaining access to the bedroom, wrestling one of the armed men to the ground before being overwhelmed by the others. As the assailants beat him with a gun and cut him with machetes, Mr. Westwell kept screaming in an attempt to alert his neighbours. After several minutes, the men left, but one returned and again beat Mr. Westwell to the floor before running away. Although suffering from a severe head wound, multiple cuts and two broken arms, Mr. Westwell told his wife to stay hidden until a friend arrived to provide assistance.