Life Scout Michael Hertfelder was awarded the Honor Medal at the Greater St. Louis Area Council's Annual Recognition and Awards Dinner on May 24, 2004, for rescuing his two cousins from a swift-moving current.  The Honor Medal is awarded to those who demonstrate unusual heroism and skill or resourcefulness in saving or attempting to save life at considerable risk to self.

Michael, 15, from Ballwin, Mo., was visiting his grandparents with his aunt and cousins in Montrose, Colo., in July 2003.  Michael and his cousins traveled nearby to the small town of Ouray for a hike.  While on the hike, the group discovered a 200-foot waterfall and tried to cross the body of running water feeding the waterfall. Michael was the first to make his way across.  When he reached the other side, he heard his cousin Christine Kessler yelling.  He spun around to see his 8-year-old cousin Eddie Rathman had fallen in and was clinging to a rock fighting to keep from being swept down stream and over the waterfall.  Christine jumped into the waist-deep, near-freezing water and waded through the swift current to reach Eddie.  Christine was able to keep Eddie from being swept downstream but was unable to carry or lift him out of the water.  Michael climbed down and jumped in the water.  He carried Eddie and Christine to safety.  Once out of the water, Michael attended to his cousins before hiking to get help.  Michael says he fully prepared to effectuate the rescues as a result of the skills he acquired when earning his CPR certification, Life Saving Merit Badge and Swimming Merit Badge.

Michael is a Life Scout in Troop 630 where he is a former senior patrol leader and is currently a junior assistant Scoutmaster.  He will enter his junior year at Christian Brothers College High School in fall 2004.