Saw Ba Yi (Burmese: စောဘရီ [sɔ́ ba̰ jì]) is an ethnic Karen and the only civilian to have won the Aung San Thuriya Medal, the highest award for gallantry and bravery in Burma (Myanmar) in 1951.
[1] Under normal circumstances, the medal is only awarded to members of the Myanmar Armed Forces.
[2] Saw Ba Yi volunteered in saving a group of government officials sieged by KNDO rebels in Thandaung in 1951.
Though his acts of valour and self-sacrifice preserved the lives of hostages, he was killed in action.
He was honoured and awarded the medal posthumously by the President of Burma then.