Star of Courage

• Awarded on: August 13, 1984
• Invested on: March 15, 1985

Sergeant Blair Stewart, S.C., C.D.
Star of Courage

On 5 December 1983, Sgt. Blair Stewart, a crew member of the Sea King helicopter launched from H.M.C.S. Iroquois was instrumental in the rescue of eleven seamen stranded aboard No. 5 Ho Ming, floundering off the coast of Newfoundland. The precarious listing of the freighter and the decision of her Master to abandon ship made it necessary to reach the men with utmost urgency. Although not a trained rescue specialist, Sgt. Stewart volunteered to be lowered onto the pitching, wind-whipped deck and co-ordinate the transfer. Semi-darkness, ten-metre waves driven by gale-force winds pounding the ship's hull and bunker oil spilled on the slanted surface rendered his footing extremely hazardous. Using sign language, Sgt. Stewart motioned eight sailors forward and secured the hoist collar on them as one after another was hauled on board the helicopter. He stayed with the ship until the aircraft returned to hoist the remaining three sailors. He was the last to leave the Ho Ming. His courage under the most perilous conditions contributed to the success of this dangerous rescue mission