President Biden awarded the Medal of Valor to eight public safety officers during a ceremony at the White House on January 3, 2024.
The Medal of Valor is the nation’s highest honor for valor by a public safety officer, given for acts of extraordinary courage beyond the call of duty.
Firefighter Brendan Gaffney of the Fire Department of the City of New York was one of the recipients.
On February 5, 2023, Gaffney entered a burning apartment twice to save two unconscious victims.
Using a door as a shield, he rescued a pregnant woman and a child, shielding the child with his body as he escaped.
He re-entered the fire to save the woman and performed CPR until paramedics arrived. Both victims survived.
Lieutenant John Vanderstar, also from the FDNY, received the Medal of Valor for his actions on October 23, 2022.
He entered a burning apartment without water to rescue a mother and child.
Vanderstar pushed through flames, bringing the victims to a window for fresh air before carrying the child to safety. Both the mother and child survived.
President Biden, who co-sponsored the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Act in 2001, has awarded these medals several times during his presidency and previously as Vice President.
The awards were recommended by the Attorney General and the Medal of Valor Review Board.
This year’s recipients exemplify the highest standards of bravery, risking their own lives to save others.
FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker commended the recipients on their award: “These two members exemplify the courage, dedication and selflessness that define the FDNY.
“Their heroic actions, carried out at great personal risk, saved the lives of four New Yorkers in moments of unimaginable danger.”
He added: “Being awarded the Presidential Medal of Valor is a testament not only to their extraordinary bravery, but also the unwavering commitment of all FDNY members who serve this city every day.”
On January 3, 2024, President Biden awarded the Medal of Valor to eight public safety officers, including two FDNY firefighters, during a ceremony at the White House.
The Medal of Valor is the nation’s highest honor for extraordinary bravery.
Firefighter Brendan Gaffney and Lieutenant John Vanderstar received the medal for lifesaving rescues performed in separate incidents.
Gaffney saved a pregnant woman and a child from a fire on February 5, 2023, while Vanderstar rescued a mother and her child from a burning apartment on October 23, 2022.
Both men risked their lives to ensure the safety of others.
