Following a decision by HRH today, 7 will receive the award, known as the Medal for Heroic Deeds in gold, while 12 will receive it in silver. Jørn Øverby is among those who are being awarded the medals.

He told Aftenposten he has “mixed emotions, because we were many more than 19 people. But it is very nice to be appreciated.”

Mr Øverby said that he is looking forward to receiving the award and believes it may be a way to move forward.

“I think it might be a good end to the period after 22 July. We must move on now.”

Minister of Trade and Industry Trond Giske said in a statement, “There were many who made a great contribution both at the government quarter and on Utøya when terror struck us 22 July.”

“The government honours the volunteers by the two memorials that have been decided established in Oslo and in Hole municipality. People who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment by voluntarily exposing themselves to danger by saving others can be awarded Medal for Heroism,” he added.

The medal in gold is the 7th-highest honour people can be awarded in Norway, with the silver one the 13th-highest.

Of those who have attained the high threshold for being awarded the honour, two helicopter and one tugboat rescuer received the silver one following the Alexander Kielland disaster in 1980.

Swedish King Oscar II established the medal by royal decree on 19th August 1885. The current edition features HRH King Harald V on the front.

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