Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: July 3, 1981
• Invested on: September 18, 1981

On 27 October 1980, in an act of conspicuous bravery, MCpl. Joseph James Goetz of the Canadian Armed Forces, saved military personnel from serious injuries at Shilo Base, Manitoba. During an artillery exercise, a self propelled Howitzer loaded with propellant and high explosive ammunition caught fire. The crew rushed out and assisted one soldier who was on fire. MCpl. Goetz hurried to the scene, jumped up on the driver's side of the vehicle, crawled through the hatch and turned off the master electrical switch to reduce the danger of a major explosion. He then ran to the rear of the Howitzer, entered the cab with a fire extinguisher and fought the blaze, after which he unfastened and removed the cartridge canisters stored in the gun. The presence of mind and quick action of MCpl. Goetz prevented an explosion and serious injury to nearby military personnel.