Star of Courage

• Awarded on: May 19, 1978
• Invested on: August 02, 1978

David Charles Christney, S.C.
Star of Courage
Robert Murray Amos, M.B.
Clifford Charles, M.B.
Martin Charles, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

Coxswain David Christney, Robert Amos, Clifford Charles and his son Martin, all crew members on board Canadian Coast Guard Lifeboat 104, saved three fishermen and three members of a helicopter crew from drowning on the reefs off Cape Beale, British Columbia, on the night of 28 February 1976. In a fine display of seamanship Mr. Christney sailed his craft along the rugged shoreline, in driving snow and gale-force winds, to reach the fishermen. Two were found on a life raft, a third Perched on the reefs. An American Coast Guard helicopter was called in to assist and airlifted the lone fisherman from the rocks while others boarded the life-boat. The helicopter, however, while returning to shore, ran out of fuel and then fell on the reefs. Mr. Christney and Mr. Amos promptly answered the call for help and at great risk plucked the men from the aircraft moments before it was wrecked on the rocks. The victims were taken to shore and for several hours afterwards the crew of the Lifeboat 104, though cold and tired, searched vainly for a fourth fisherman.