DUPUIS, Flight Sergeant Rene Noel Joseph (Can 9953) - British Empire Medal - Gaspe Detachment, RCAF - Award effective 14 November 1944 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 2684/44 dated 15 December 1944. Born in Ottawa, 30 January 1914. Home in Ottawa. Joined the RCN in Ottawa, 27 February 1931, serving to 1936 when he joined the RCMP Marine Division. Enlisted in RCAF in Ottawa, 8 July 1938 as Marine Branch Crewman and posted to Trenton. To Vancouver, 17 June 1939. Promoted AC1, 1 July 1939. Promoted LAC, 1 June 1940. To No.7 SFTS, 1 December 1940. To Patricia Bay, 20 December 1940. Promoted Corporal, 1 January 1941. To Prince Rupert Detachment, 4 June 1941. Promoted Sergeant, 1 July 1941. To Dartmouth, 31 March 1942. To Botwood, Newfoundland, 19 May 1942. To Station Shelburne, 31 October 1942. Promoted Flight Sergeant, 1 February 1943. To Gaspe Detachment, 17 April 1943. To Dartmouth, 15 June 1943. To Gaspe, 17 April 1944. Promoted WO2, 1 October 1944. To Eastern Air Command Marine Squadron, 16 November 1944. To No.3 Repair Depot, 29 December 1944. To Alliford Bay, 4 January 1945. To Station Trenton, 3 May 1946. Reverted to Sergeant in postwar RCAF, 1 October 1946. To Western Air Command Marine Squadron, Patricia Bay, 7 November 1946 (later designated No.122 Marine Squadron). To No.102 Marine Squadron, Dartmouth, 6 July 1949. To Goose Bay, 19 July 1949. To Rockcliffe, 10 December 1949. To Goos Bay, 8 June 1950. To Rockcliffe, 11 September 1950. To Goose Bay, 29 May 1951. To Rockcliffe, 27 November 1951. Reclassified as Fire Fighter, 15 June 1952. Awarded Queen\'s Coronation Medal, 23 October 1953 as a Sergeant at Rockcliffe. To Technical Training School, Aylmer, 6 March 1954. To Rockcliffe, 3 May 1954. To No.11 Supply Depot, Calgary, 24 July 1954. To Station Lincoln Park, 2 April 1956. Promoted Flight Sergeant, 1 April 1957. To Technical Training School, Camp Borden, 13 September 1957. To Station Lincoln Park, 24 December 1957. To Rockcliffe, 12 July 1958.Released 3 March 1962 to accept an ICAO position in the Congo. Later worked for Department of Transport; died in Perth, Ontario, 10 July 1981 as per Legion Magazine of October 1981 and Airforce Magazine of December 1981. This NCO was in charge of the crew manning an RCAF marine craft, which carried out rescue operations after a Royal Canadian Navy motor launch exploded at a naval jetty on the 7th of September 1944. The rescue of naval personnel from the water was carried out in close proximity to the exploded burning craft, which carried full tanks of high octane gasoline and battle complement of depth charges. During these operations, smaller armament was being continually exploded by the fire, causing great hazard to Flight Sergeant Dupuis and his men. When a severely burned rating was pulled from the water into the rescue boat, he displayed great presence of mind and efficiency in carrying out adequate first aid until the arrival of the medical officer. Throughout the entire operations he provided courageous and efficient leadership in the face of extremely difficult and hazardous circumstances. the outstanding ability and presence of mind displayed by this NCO is most praiseworthy. On 11 September 1944, F/O F.H. Faulkner reported that Dupuis had been in charge of a rescue party from RCAF Marine Craft M.514 which carried out rescue operations after RCN Q082 exploded at jetty at Gaspe. He went on to write: This rescue of ratings from the water was carried out while the exploded craft was on fire and had depth charges on her deck. This NCO displayed great courage and efficiency in leadership and when the badly burned rating was brought into the boat he carried out first aid until the RCAF doctor arrived. He also assisted the doctor until the rating was ready to be sent to hospital. On 14 September 1944, F/O Faulkner raised the recommendation as follows: This Senior NCO was in charge of the party manning RCAF Marine Craft M.514 which carried out rescue operations after RCN Motor Launch Q.082 exploded at the jetty of HMCS Fort Ramsay, Gaspe, P.Q. on 7 September 1944. The rescue of naval personnel from the water was carried out in close proximity to the exploded, burning craft, which carried full tanks of high octane gasoline and battle complement of depth charges. During these operations, smaller armament was being continually exploded by the fire, causing great hazard to him and his party. When a severely burned rating was pulled from the water into the rescue boat, Flight Sergeant Dupuis displayed great presence of mind and efficiency in carrying out adequate first aid until the arrival of the RCAF Medical Officer. Throughout the entire operation, this Senior NCO provided courageous and efficient leadership in the face of extremely difficult and hazardous circumstances. Notes: He was misemployed for three summers at Goose Bay following redundancy of his Marine Trade. Once remustered to Fire Fighter he had a good career, as the following assessment shows: Sergeant Dupuis is the Fire Chief at RCAF Detachment 11 SD, East Calgary. The section consists of two civilian lieutenants and ten civilian firefighters. Sergeant Dupuis runs his section very efficiently. He is always alert to improving fire prevention measures and come up with many good, original suggestions. He controls his men well, and runs an efficient section. His home life appears stable and he seems to be a well-balanced individual, with no known financial difficulties. Last year Sergeant Dupuis? section came second in the annual fire prevention week competition. This year he was placed in charge of the Station Lincoln Park entry in the 56 competition and carried out a very ambitious programme calling for the cooperation of the Army and the City Fire Departments. He is an excellent leader due to his enthusiasm for his work and his pleasant personality. (S/L W.W. Fraser, Lincoln Park, 24 October 1956).