James Wilmont Ashton, M.B.
Corporal Marvin Douglas Hewitt, M.B.
Medal of Bravery
Cpl. Marvin Hewitt, of Canadian Forces Base Moose Jaw, entered a water-storage tank on the base to rescue James Ashton who, on 2 June 1976, was overcome by fumes while painting its interior. Mr. Ashton had already tried to free a fellow workman from the tank and had collapsed as his companion was being removed. When Cpl. Hewitt came on the scene, he crawled into the narrow container and persisted until Mr. Ashton was freed. The tank was, however, constructed with a very narrow escape hatch and only tiny holes for air. As a result Cpl. Hewitt was also overcome by the fumes and in turn had to be assisted by others. By their actions Cpl. Hewitt and James Ashton narrowly averted a serious accident.