Forty-three Canadians received awards for acts of bravery Friday, as the Royal Canadian Mint rolled out its newest commemorative coin paying tribute to those who risk their lives to save others.

Governor General Michaëlle Jean presented one Cross of Valour, one Star of Courage and 41 Medals of Bravery during a ceremony in the ballroom at Rideau Hall.

The Medal of Bravery coin pays tribute to everyday Canadians who risk their lives to save or protect others.
(Royal Canadian Mint)

"Your actions speak louder than anything else," said Jean. "They will live on in the memories of those whose lives you have touched."

"These decorations are more than a recognition of your bravery. They are also a symbol of the gratitude all Canadians feel for what you have done."

Jean handed out the rarely awarded Cross of Valour "for acts of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril."

Winter rescuers honoured

Coast Guard First Officer Leslie Palmer, of Prince Rupert, B.C., received the award, which is Canada's highest honour for bravery.

Palmer rescued two fishermen stranded during a December 2004 winter storm in Prince Rupert's Grenville Channel by taking a small rubber boat to shore, sailing through rough surf and high winds.

With ice forming on the outer shell of his survival suit, Palmer walked for one hour through hip-deep snow and ice to reach the men, who were barely responsive. After performing first aid, he kept them warm for four hours until more help arrived.

Including Palmer, 20 people have received the award since it was established in May 1972.

Canadian Forces search and rescue technician Sgt. Steeve Bédard received the second-highest award, the Star of Courage.

Bédard, who already has a Medal of Bravery, helped rescue five seal hunters stranded in their fishing boat in the ocean near the Magdalen Islands in March 2005. Amid nine-metre ocean swells, Bédard and a colleague were lowered down several times to rescue the sealers.

Forty-one Canadians received Medals of Bravery, including Const. Stephen Knight, who was awarded his second such medal.

Knight, with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, leaped into St. John's frigid Waterford River in February 2004 to rescue a teenaged girl who was trying to commit suicide.

The medals were awarded the same day the Royal Canadian Mint issued its newest commemorative coin, a quarter showing the Medal of Bravery. Roughly 20 million of the coins will enter circulation.

The coin is part of the Mint's Canadian Heroes series, which has included a quarter honouring the Year of the Veteran and a one-dollar coin remembering Terry Fox.