Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: June 20, 2013
• Invested on: December 05, 2013

Claude Veilleux, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On June 20, 2011, Claude Veilleux rescued a teenage girl who was on the verge of drowning, in Beauceville, Quebec. Three friends were swimming in the cold waters of the Chaudière River when they were suddenly swept away by the current. With a great deal of effort, two of them managed to struggle back to shore. Alerted by witnesses, Mr. Veilleux stopped and made his way down the steep slope to the river. He swam against the strong current to reach the other young victim, who, clinging to a branch, kept sinking below the surface and coming up again. Mr. Veilleux told the girl to let go of the branch; then, exhausted though he was, he managed to swim over and bring her back to shore, where others came to their assistance.