Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: December 12, 1997
• Invested on: May 15, 1998

Donald James Boyd, M.B.
William John Gordon, M.B.
Kenneth Daniel Keddy, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On September 21, 1996, Donald Boyd, William Gordon and Kenneth Keddy saved two women from a burning car in Stoney Creek, Ontario. Mr. Keddy was a rear seat passenger in a vehicle that rolled down the ditch and caught fire after being struck from behind. When the car rested on its side, Mr. Keddy was able to escape through a side window. Despite his injuries, he forced the driver's door open and pulled one of the unconscious women out as Messrs. Boyd and Gordon arrived on the scene. Through the flames, Messrs. Boyd and Gordon could see the other woman on fire, held in by her seatbelt. Mr. Boyd squeezed inside the car, grabbed the seatbelt harness, and as plastic melted on his burning hand, unclipped the buckle. He then leaned farther inside and grabbed the woman who had fallen into more intense flames. As Mr. Boyd lifted her out, her foot became stuck and Mr. Gordon had to reach inside to dislodge it. Both men then pulled the victim out of the fiery wreck.