Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: February 26, 2002
• Invested on: December 09, 2002

On May 22, 2001, while honeymooning in Costa Rica, Birk Madsen prevented further injury to his wife following a swarming attack by five teenage robbers on bikes, two of whom were armed with guns. The couple were out for an early evening stroll near their hotel when they were suddenly surrounded by the gang. Shots were fired during the struggle that ensued and Mr. Madsen was struck in the face with a pistol and fell to the ground. Meanwhile, his wife had escaped into the traffic for help but was seriously wounded when one of the thieves fired in her direction. Determined to save his wife from further harm, Mr. Madsen tackled the thief and wrestled his pistol away. Brandishing the assailant's gun, he then grabbed hold of a bicycle to shield himself from the criminals until they finally abandoned their attack and fled. Mr. Madsen then jumped with his wife into one of the cars that had stopped and brought her to a hospital for emergency care.