| Name: | Joseph Jay |
| Gender: | Male |
| Agency: | Kankakee Fire Department |
| Type of Firefighter: | |
| Rank: | Firefighter |
| Type of Duty: | SCBA operations, Water rescue operations |
| Type of Award: | Medal of Honor |
| Year of Award: | 2001 |
| Incident City: | Kankakee |
| Year of Incident: | 2000 |
| Incident Location Type: | Water/Waterfront |
| Incident Attribute: |
Firefighter Joseph Jay of the Kankakee Fire Department was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions to save a boy from a submerged van in the Kankakee River on September 29, 2000.
A man and his two sons, an eleven year-old and a three-year old, were enjoying lunch in their van at a park on the banks of Kankakee River. When the father stepped out of the vehicle throw away some garbage, the van slid down a boat ramp into the river. The man was able to pull his oldest son out of the van, but not his youngest.
When Jay arrived on the scene, it is estimated that the youngest boy had been submerged in the van for nearly ten minutes. A diving team was assembled, but it would take them too long to get to the youngster. Jay, thinking quickly, grabbed an SCBA, hoping that it would help him navigate through the murky waters. The plan worked. He swam to the van and went in through the driver’s side door. He found the boy floating at roof-level. To exit the floating vehicle, he had to discard his air pack. He subsequently swam with the young boy to the surface and to safety.
Citations:Firefighters Honored for Heroic Actions,
The Gong, July-September, 2001.
Mahomet native receives highest award for heroism,
The News-Gazette, May 28, 2001.
Mahomet native wins fire service award,
The News-Gazette, August 11, 2001.