Medal of Bravery
Awarded on: 2012-03-01
Invested on: 2013-06-07
Joe Barefoot, M.B.
Medal of Bravery
On August 26, 2009, Joe Barefoot risked his life to rescue an elderly man from drowning in the Wahnapitae River, in French River, Ontario. Mr. Barefoot was leading a man on a guided fishing excursion to the Sturgeon Chutes when their boat overturned, sending them both into the whirlpool at the bottom of the falls. The strong current pulled them under, but Mr. Barefoot was able to swim to shore. He then saw the victim floating face down further away. Still exhausted from his own escape, Mr. Barefoot jumped back into the turbulent waters and grabbed the man. With great difficulty, he pulled the victim to shore and tried to resuscitate him. Sadly, the man did not survive.