| Name: | George Michalski |
| Gender: | Male |
| Agency: | Girard Fire Protection District |
| Type of Firefighter: | |
| Rank: | Firefighter |
| Type of Duty: | Vehicle rescue, Water rescue operations |
| Type of Award: | Medal of Honor |
| Year of Award: | 1995 |
| Incident City: | Carlinville |
| Year of Incident: | 1995 |
| Incident Location Type: | Water/Waterfront |
| Incident Attribute: | Traffic accidents |
Firefighters George Michalski and Brett Mount of the Girard Fire Protection District were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions on Illinois Highway 4, north of Carlinville, Illinois, on February 3, 1995, to save a woman from a vehicle overturned in a creek.
Firefighters Michalski and Mount were driving in the midst of a heavy snowstorm when they witnessed a vehicle in front of them swerve off the road and overturn into a creek. The victim’s automobile plunged into the water, its wheels the only part of the vehicle visible to Michalski and Mount. Mount radioed for help, while Michalski waded neck-deep into the icy-cold water to extricate the victim. Michalski grabbed hold of the woman’s coat and hair to pull her out of the frigid creek. Mount then went into the water to assist Michalski in getting the victim to a safe place.
Citations:’Heroes’ honored Girard firefighters given state’s top award,
The State Journal-Register, May 19, 1995.
Two heroes from Girard,
The State Journal-Register, May 24, 1995.