Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: October 19, 1972
• Invested on: June 22, 1973

Corporal Gordon William Rowe, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On June 12, 1970, Corporal Gordon William Rowe of Shearwater, Nova Scotia, leaned out of the cabin of a helicopter in flight to grasp and hold a fellow-crewman who had fallen out the door and was clinging to the aircraft's port sponson. The incident occurred 30 miles southeast of Shearwater, Nova Scotia, when the helicopter was at an altitude of 300 feet and travelling at 125 knots. The victim was sucked out of the craft when the doors accidentally popped open. Reacting instantly, Corporal Rowe crouched low in the doorway, leaned far out and with one arm, grasped his crew mate by the flight suit. With complete disregard for his own safety, the rescuer held on until other crewmen brought both men to safety.