Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: December 1, 2000
• Invested on: June 22, 2001

On October 7, 1999, Grant Phillips dived into the ocean to save a man from drowning at South Maui, Hawaii. Dr. Phillips was walking along the beach when he noticed a man floating face down in the high surf. Without hesitation, he ran into the ocean and swam 125 metres in the rough water before he could reach his side. He then grabbed the drowning victim and tried to revive him but the swelling waves impeded his efforts. Meanwhile a woman had swum out to help and Dr. Phillips instructed her to climb onto his back and administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Exhausted but undeterred, Dr. Phillips supported both the woman and the unconscious man and struggled against two-metre waves until the trio reached the shore. He then took over caring for the victim until paramedics arrived and the victim was revived.