Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: June 10, 1999
• Invested on: June 26, 2000

Ronald Dale Ernest Blatz, M.B.
Gordon H. Holloway, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On Christmas Day 1997, Ronald Blatz and Gordon Holloway pulled a woman from the freezing waters of the Red River in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Mr. Holloway was jogging nearby when he heard screams from a woman who had fallen through the frozen surface some 10 metres from shore. Without hesitation, he ran to the river, crawled along the unstable ice and extended a branch to her. Mr. Holloway tried to drag her out but the weight of her soaked winter clothing and the pulling force of the current made it impossible. Meanwhile, Mr. Blatz had also run to the scene. He crawled past Mr. Holloway, and with the latter holding onto his legs, Mr. Blatz inched his way to the edge of the open water and managed to grab the weakening woman. After several attempts, they succeeded in saving the hypothermic victim.