Meritorious Service Medal

• Awarded on: January 12, 1997
• Invested on: December 04, 1998

John Morley James, M.S.M., Balzac, Alta. (Posthumous)
Meritorious Service Medal (civil division)

On July 13, 1992, Firefighter James displayed great perseverance and outstanding professionalism when he entered a burning building in Calgary, Alberta, in search of possible victims. Taking the lead, Firefighter James doused the flames until he reached the end of the hose line. He then continued farther until he found an interior hose line, managed to hook it up, and continued battling the flames. When his air supply became critically low, Firefighter James attempted to exit the building. In zero visibility, he became disoriented, was overcome by the heat and smoke and collapsed. Tragically, Firefighter James did not survive.