Medal of Bravery

• Awarded on: June 29, 2010
• Invested on: October 28, 2011

Patrick Robert O'Connor, M.B.
Medal of Bravery

On April 11, 2009, Patrick O'Connor was instrumental in the rescue of a man and a 14-year-old boy in the Gulf of Mexico. Strong winds prompted warnings to stay out of the water. The victims had been kayaking when a large wave capsized their craft, throwing them overboard. The boy, who had swallowed large amounts of water, started to panic. Mr. O'Connor was on the beach when he noticed a crowd pointing towards the victims, who were approximately 100 metres from shore. Mr. O'Connor and another man fought against the strong undertow and high waves to bring the drifting kayak back to the victims. They placed the unconscious boy in it and the three men then pushed the kayak to shore. Sadly, the boy did not survive.