Star of Courage

• Awarded on: January 28, 1980
• Invested on: June 13, 1980

Joseph Cardinal saved his one-year-old nephew from a fire which destroyed his home on 18 November 1978. On noticing flames, the child's mother had placed him on a bed. She then left the room to gather up her other children and get them out through a window. By then, however, the flames had sealed off access to the youngest child, and she flew for help to her relatives next door. The first person on the scene received burns when he opened the door and promptly retreated. In spite of very great danger Joseph entered the house and braved heat and smoke until he found the child and carried him to safety.