Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: September 6, 2001
• Invested on: June 28, 2002

On July 12, 1999, Simon Gregoire rescued two friends from a fiery death after their pick-up truck had left the highway, landed upside down in a ditch and caught fire, near Baie Comeau, Quebec. Regaining consciousness but dazed from the accident, Mr. Gregoire had managed to escape through the driver's window and climb back onto the road when he heard his friends' cries for help. Although disoriented and weakened by his injuries, he immediately returned to the burning wreck. He reached through the broken rear window, pulled the driver out of the cab and was helping her to the road when the truck was completely engulfed in flames. Undaunted by the intense heat, he went back to his other friend, who had been thrown from the vehicle and was lying dangerously close to the blaze, and dragged him to safety.