BOY SCOUT TROOP 566

Saratoga, California

National Heroism Awards

In 1989, Scoutmaster Paul Wesling responded to a fire in his neighborhood. The fire starting in the kitchen of the home across the street had burned up through the attic and had erupted through the roof. After calling "911" and getting passing teens to begin spraying the roof, he woke the occupants and got them out of the building. In addition, he turned off power to the stove (the origin of the heat that started the fire) and dowsed inside flames to delay smoke and fire in the living area, to give more time for evacuation and preserve furnishings.

[Heroism Knot] Paul was awarded the BSA Heroism Award "for heroic action where there is minimum risk to self". He also received a commendation from the City of Saratoga and from the governor of California. He was selected as a community hero to be a torch bearer for the torch relay leading up to the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.


In 1991, Dan Rhodes and his family were on a canoe trip on the Russian River with a Little League team. The youth in two canoes had tied their craft together, reducing maneuverability. They drifted into a side channel in the fast-flowing river and came upon a partially-submerged fallen tree blocking the way. Both canoes hit the tree and became swamped, then turned over and were forced under the tree by the current. Two boys were thrown free; the third had his leg trapped and was pulled under, with only a hand near the surface. Dan heard the frantic calls of the other two boys and paddled/ran over to assist. He tried to pull the youth free but was unable; he also could not pull the canoe free or force it to proceed under the fallen tree. He then moved to the downstream side and, with a mighty pull, was able to pop the canoe free and grab the youth, who had been under water for 3-4 minutes. Rotating him face-up, he began rescue breathing; after a couple of breaths, the youth sputtered and began breathing on his own. Dan brought the youth to a sandy bar where he and others stabilized the boy. A passing helicopter called in a medivac chopper for the evacuation, and the youth is fully recovered.

[Heroism Knot] Dan was awarded the BSA Heroism Award "for heroic action where there is minimum risk to self". A feature article covering the event and showing the youth and his family was published in the Saratoga NEWS, and many parents on the Little League team enrolled in a CPR Certification course, to better "Be Prepared". Dan was a Troop adult leader at the time.

In 1992, Tristan (a Life Scout in Troop 566) noticed his younger brother Ian choking on some food. When it was clear that Ian could not breathe, Tristan used the Heimlich maneuver to clear Ian's throat and restore breathing.

[Heroism Knot] Tristan was given the BSA Heroism Award "for heroic action where there is minimum risk to self". He currently serves on the Leadership Corps within Troop 566.

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