Medal of Bravery
Awarded on: 1981-03-16
Invested on: 1981-06-19
Robert Melis, M.B.
Joseph Szimanski, M.B.
Medal of Bravery
Robert Melis and Joseph Szimanski combined efforts to remove a woman from the burning wreckage of a car following a collision on November 4, 1979. The car careened against a building and burst into flames after having been hit by another vehicle. The two men rushed at once to the scene of the accident but were forced back when the front of the car exploded. Although flames were covering the car and the heat was extreme, Mr. Szimanski reached inside the car and, assisted by Mr. Melis, pulled the unconscious and seriously injured woman from the raging fire to safety. Seconds later the whole car exploded.