COLE, Leading Aircraftman Robert George (236706) - British Empire Medal - Awarded as per Canada Gazette dated 27 July 1963 and AFRO 31/63 dated 2 August 1963. Home in Vancouver. Awarded Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct were Corporal Charles HR Nelson (Lethbridge) and Leading Aircraftman Ralph Wayne McLaughlin (Moncton).
On the night of 27 April, 1962, a fire occurred in a third floor apartment of the RCAF married quarters located at St. Avold, eleven miles from 2 Fighter Wing, Grostenquin, France, in which a boy of twelve and three infants, aged two years and below, were sleeping. The youngest infant perished in the fire. Leading aircraftman Cole, who lived in a neighbouring building, saw the fire and proceeded to the apartment with an extinguisher to render assistance. On his arrival, the fire, which was seated in the master bedroom, was well rooted, and the apartment was in complete darkness, smoke-filled and very hot. Although there were other persons at the scene, Leading Aircraftman Cole was the first person to enter the apartment, which he did without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own personal safety. In spite of his being untrained and unequipped for such activity, he searched in locating three children whom he passed for evacuation to two other airmen who had followed him into the apartment. Following this, he tried to extinguish the fire in the master bedroom where, unknown to him, the youngest child was present, but found this was not possible with the limited means at his disposal. Leading aircraftman Cole then assisted another airman to evacuate eight persons who considered themselves trapped on the fourth floor. Throughout this emergency, leading aircraftman Cole conducted himself courageously, showing outstanding initiative, judgement and coolness. There is no doubt that his prompt action saved three children from death by asphyxiation.