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Mr. Kenton David Bird

Vancouver, British Columbia

Decorations for Bravery

  • Medal of Bravery

    Awarded on: 1998-08-27
    Invested on: 2002-06-28
    On August 15, 1997, Kenton Bird lost his life while attempting to rescue his nine-year-old son from drowning at Osoyoos, British Columbia. Mr. Bird was vacationing on the beach with his family when he witnessed a strong wind sweep his son off the edge of a sandbar. Although a weak swimmer, Mr. Bird swam through one-metre high waves which were pulling the frantic boy farther out into Osoyoos Lake. When he reached the child, he managed to hold his son's head above water until other campers arrived with a boat and pulled the young victim out of the water. Unable to fight exhaustion, Mr. Bird was submerged by a large wave and did not resurface.