To Boy Scout leader Bob Gibson, rescuing a family stranded in the Shenandoah River during a canoe trip gone awry was no act of courage.

It was simply part of being a Scout, said Mr. Gibson, scoutmaster for Troop 414 in Riviera Beach.

In June 2007, he, two other leaders and a trio of dedicated young Scouts - including his son, Matthew - saved a young girl stranded on a rock in the middle of the choppy river.

"To tell you the truth, I didn't think about anything but getting the girl off that rock," Mr. Gibson said.

He might not consider himself a hero, but officials from the Boy Scouts of America do.

Now, the...