The exceptional heroism of a young Alberta Air Cadet was recognized recently with the posthumous award of the Cadet Award for Bravery to Air Cadet Stuart Larkins of No. 526 Barrhead Squadron. Cadet Larkins sacrificed his life when he went to the rescue of a young girl, Miss Carrol Bassani into the icy, fast flowing water of the Paddle River.

He was successful in aiding Miss Bassani to the river bank where she was pulled to safety. However, Cadet Larkins had so expended himself that he could no longer fight the icy current and he was drowned.

The Award for Bravery, considered to be the cadet equivalent of the Victoria Cross, was presented to the parents of Cadet Larkins by Air Commodore H.H.C. Rutledge, acting on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff.