Jean-Paul Chauvette, M.B.
Medal of Bravery
Jean-Paul Chauvette of Cap-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec, played a major role in the rescue of a distraught middle-aged woman who jumped into the St-Lawrence River at Trois-Rivières, Quebec on January 15, 1971. Seeing the woman in the water Mr. Chauvette ran out on the wharf from which the woman had jumped, while his wife summoned help. Someone brought Chauvette a rope which he fastened around his waist. He was lowered several feet, into the frigid waters and succeeded in clutching the victim's clothes. Cold and exhausted, the rescuer nevertheless persisted in holding the victim for about fifteen minutes, until they were both hoisted to safety.