Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: December 12, 2002
• Invested on: June 13, 2003

On March 23, 2002, Robert Desgagné risked his life to rescue the residents of the fire-ravaged Ursuline Convent in Roberval, Quebec. Informed on arriving at the scene that two people were trapped in the inferno, Mr. Desgagné rushed into the building. Crawling below the thick smoke, he reached the bedroom of one victim on the third floor, but the impenetrable wall of flame prevented him from entering to save her. He then tried desperately to reach another victim but was forced back by the choking smoke and the rapidly spreading flames. On exiting the building, Mr. Desgagné ran to the external stairway to reach a third floor balcony holding nine more residents. With the help of others, he evacuated the panic-stricken victims, leading them one by one to safety.