Meritorious Service Medal
Awarded on: 2004-11-25
Invested on: 2005-05-30
Morgan Brown, M.S.M., Summerford, Newfoundland and Labrador
Allan Roy LeDrew, M.S.M., Comfort Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador
Captain Joseph Legge, M.S.M., Kippins, Newfoundland and Labrador
Captain Chesley Webb, M.S.M., Nain, Newfoundland and Labrador
Joseph Webb, M.S.M., Nain, Newfoundland and Labrador
Waylon Webb, M.S.M. (posthumous), Nain, Newfoundland and Labrador
Meritorious Service Medal (civil division)
On the evening of October 5, 2003, these six men were instrumental in the rescue of 13 fishermen from a burning ship, during a storm on the Atlantic Ocean, near Nain, Newfoundland and Labrador. Aboard the Viola Dee, Chesley Webb, Joseph Webb and the late Waylon Webb headed first in the direction of the disabled vessel but soon realized that the condition of the sea was too treacherous to venture out farther. Despite the threatening conditions, they remained aboard their ship in the unsafe waters, in case the need for further assistance arose. Meanwhile, Messrs. Brown and LeDrew and Captain Legge, on board the Kaliutik, reached the flaming ship, some 45 nautical miles offshore, and over the next 10 hours towed it back to Nain Harbour.