A Vancouver man who helped save French President Jacques Chirac from an assassination attempt is one of 21 recipients awarded medals of bravery by Governor General Adrienne Clarkson.

Mohamed Chelali was on holiday in Paris in the summer of 2002 when a man drew a rifle and fired at Chirac during the Bastille Day parade.

Chelali and several other bystanders jumped the gunman. Chelali removed the magazine from the gun.

Mohamed Chelali

Earlier this year, the schoolteacher from Langley, B.C., was inducted as a member of the Legion d'Honneur. The award, which is equivalent to a British knighthood, is France's highest honour.

"This is an honour for me, I didn't expect this honour," said Chelali, who moved to Canada from France 12 years ago.

Also honoured was a 39-year-old manager of a Starbucks in Vancouver's West End, who gave his own life to save the life of another employee.

Anthony Paul McNaughton

Anthony Paul McNaughton died on a Saturday morning, in January 2000, when the estranged husband on an employee walked into the coffee shop, intending to kill his wife. Instead, McNaughton forced himself between them and was fatally stabbed.

Another recipient of the bravery award was 10-year-old Paul Miron Jr. of Shawville, Que. The boy tried unsuccessfully to save a three-year-old girl who was swept away by a river.