Star of Courage

• Awarded on: June 7, 1982
• Invested on: October 06, 1982

Mark Doxtater, S.C.
Ron Doxtater, S.C.
Star of Courage

On 29 November 1980, Ron Doxtater and his son Mark saw two wild-goose hunters climb into their canoe to retrieve a fallen bird in the St. Lawrence, near Morrisburg. Strong wind, fast current and high waves caused the craft to capsize. Without thinking of the peril to themselves, the Doxtaters immediately entered the dangerous waters and paddled out towards the sportsmen. They recovered the men, instructing them to hold on to either side of the canoe. One the way to shore Mr. Ron Doxtater pulled one man on board because he was losing consciousness in the icy water. Soon afterwards the other man began to lose his grip on the canoe and, with determination and courage, Mr. Doxtater helped him up with one hand and continued paddling with the other for a distance of some one hundred metres while Mark Doxtater steered them to safety.