Star of Courage
Awarded on: 1972-07-20
Invested on: 1973-06-08
Louis Racz, S.C.
Star of Courage
Louis Racz, aged 32 at that time, who was employed on a tobacco farm at Staffordville, Ontario, rescued the owner from a fire in one of the farm buildings. In the early hours of October 29, 1965, the owner discovered that the pilot light under the steamer in his tobacco strip room had gone out. When he tried to relight it, there was an explosion which set the building on fire. The heavy steamer and its burner were upset and fell on the man, trapping him in the midst of the blaze. Awakened by the explosion and the cries of alarm of the victim's wife and daughter, Louis Racz rushed half-clad to the blazing pack barn. He was forced back by the intense heat but returned two more times eventually succeeding in lifting the burner. Mr. Racz then helped the injured man out of the building.