Three men have been honoured with the King's Commendation for Bravery, with two of the awards being granted posthumously to young men who lost their lives attempting to save others from drowning in 2021.
Callum Baker-Osborne, aged 18, perished after rescuing family members who had been pulled into dangerous waters by powerful tidal currents while on holiday in Poole, Dorset, in July of that year.
Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole, 20, died three months earlier after plunging into the River Thames in an effort to rescue a woman near London Bridge.
Joaquin Garcia, who entered the water alongside Mr Olubunmi-Adewole despite being a stranger to him, has also received the commendation for his role in the rescue.
Callum Baker-Osborne, aged 18, perished after rescuing family members who had been pulled into dangerous waters by powerful tidal currents while on holiday in Poole, Dorset, in July of that year.
|PA/Family handout
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Mr Baker-Osborne was holidaying with relatives on July 26 2021, when several family members, including his mother, sister and young nieces and nephews, were dragged into deep water by a strong tidal current.
The teenager immediately jumped in to help, managing to bring a number of the younger children to safety before he himself got into difficulty and drowned.
His body was discovered four days later at Lake Pier in Poole Harbour, approximately a mile from where he had entered the sea.
His sister Samantha Grady, 30, described him as "very much the comical one out of the siblings" who "made every single person laugh".
"He truly was the life and soul of the party, like the most incredible person," she said. "He just went out of his way to try and help anyone, at any point."
Mr Olubunmi-Adewole was returning home from his shift at a central London restaurant on April 24 2021, when he spotted a woman in distress in the Thames near London Bridge at around midnight.
He entered the water alongside Mr Garcia, a 26-year-old stranger who had also witnessed the emergency.
The coastguard and Metropolitan Police Marine Policing Unit managed to rescue both the woman and Mr Garcia, but were unable to locate Mr Olubunmi-Adewole.
An assistant coroner later ruled his death accidental, praising his "courage and determination".
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy paid tribute to all three recipients, highlighting their extraordinary selflessness.
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Mr Garcia told PA: "It's a really great honour and, for me, it can feel a reminder that what I did was something good."
He added that learning of Mr Olubunmi-Adewole's death was among the worst moments of his life, but said receiving the honour "brings some level of peace and some level of recognition".
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy paid tribute to all three recipients, highlighting their extraordinary selflessness.
"These awards commend courage and bravery and in the stories of the individuals recognised today we see true selflessness," he said.
"Folajimi, Joaquin and Callum risked their lives for strangers without hesitation. Their actions showcase the best of us. Their families and their country are deeply proud of them."
Gallantry awards recognise acts of courage and bravery demonstrated in the face of extreme danger.
The posthumous honours for Mr Baker-Osborne and Mr Olubunmi-Adewole will be presented to their families.
Mrs Grady said the recognition felt "like a release" and described her brother as "truly a hero", adding that the family had been "blown away" upon receiving the news.