Medal of Bravery
Awarded on: 1996-09-20
Invested on: 1996-12-06
On July 16, 1995, Mr. Schmalz saved a three-year-old boy from a burning motorhome near Pine Lake, Alberta. The motorhome had collided with an oil tanker at a highway intersection, scattering debris everywhere, and starting a fire. Mr. Schmalz, the first passer-by on the scene, ran over to help the victims and was told that a child was trapped inside the demolished motorhome. He heard the child screaming, then saw him, his face covered with blood. In spite of the exploding tires, Mr. Schmalz pulled on the door until he could squeeze into the vehicle. He managed to release the child from the car seat, grabbed him and ran with him to safety.