Reginald Limbert (Wettlaufer) Bennett, S.C., Calgary, Alberta
Star of Courage
On July 24, 1973 fourteen-year-old Reginald Wettlaufer, at great risk to his own life, attempted to save his friend from drowning at Lake McGregor near Champion, Alberta. The friend got into difficulty swimming against the current of a spillway, some one-hundred yards offshore. Responding to his cries for help, Reginald and another companion, who were playing on the beach at the time, swam out in pursuit of the victim. The strain, however, proved overwhelming for the other rescuer and he was assisted to a sand bar by Reginald who then resumed his efforts to save the other boy. Struggling against the force of the current, Reginald succeeded momentarily to hold the victim's head above water but became increasingly exhausted and lost his grip on the boy who disappeared below the surface. With most of his strength expended, Reginald then fought to return ashore and was saved by missing boy's father who came on the scene in a motorboat.