For Valour

Five Canadian soldiers will soon be decorated for valour:

Major David Nelson Quick, S.M.V., C.D.
Ottawa, Burnstown and Trenton, Ontario
Star of Military Valour

Major Quick displayed exceptional courage while commanding India Company, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, Joint Task Force Afghanistan, from January to August 2007. He led his troops from the front during numerous intense combat operations throughout the Zharey District. On April 22, 2007, despite injuries incurred by the explosion of a bomb, Major Quick kept on going, using his tactical skills. His prowess and selfless dedication, fundamental in defeating a determined enemy, inspired the Battle Group to victory.

***

Private Shane Aaron Bradley Dolmovic, M.M.V.
Petawawa, Ontario and Cottlesville, Newfoundland and Labrador
Corporal Dave Gionet, M.M.V.
Petawawa, Ontario and Pigeon-Hill, New Brunswick
Medal of Military Valour

On April 11, 2007, Private Dolmovic and Corporal Gionet saved the life of a fellow crewmember after his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in Nalgham, Afghanistan. After freeing the trapped driver, Private Dolmovic and Corporal Gionet performed life-saving first aid, despite imminent risks of fire, explosions and enemy attack.

***

Sergeant Gerald Alexander Killam, M.M.V., C.D.
Oromocto, New Brunswick and Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Medal of Military Valour

On May 16, 2007, Sergeant Killam, then Master Corporal, repeatedly exposed himself to lethal enemy fire during an ambush launched by insurgents in Sangsar, Afghanistan. Although separated from his platoon, he identified enemy positions and issued clear orders that enabled his section to engage the enemy. Inspired by his leadership, Sergeant Killam’s troops fought back a numerically superior enemy with no casualties to his section.

***

Private Jay James Renaud, M.M.V.
Petawawa and Tilbury, Ontario
Medal of Military Valour

On April 11, 2007, despite his injuries, Private Renaud provided life-saving first aid to a seriously injured crewmate after his Coyote reconnaissance vehicle was destroyed by an improvised explosive device. At the time of the incident, Private Renaud was deployed as a surveillance operator with Reconnaissance Squadron, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, Joint Task Force Afghanistan.

A big Bravo Zulu to each of those individuals: your service is most appreciated by this corner.

The following CF members will receive Meritorious Service decorations:

Chief Warrant Officer Mark Leslie Baisley, M.S.C., C.D.
Chief Warrant Officer Wayne Alan Bartlett, M.S.C., C.D.
Colonel Wayne Donald Eyre, M.S.C., C.D.
Warrant Officer Ian Long, M.S.C., C.D.
Master Warrant Officer Wayne Francis O'Toole, M.S.C., C.D.
Major Alexander Thomas Ruff, M.S.C., C.D.
Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Daren Keith Walker, M.S.C., C.D.
Lieutenant-Colonel David Brian Berry, M.S.M., C.D.
Warrant Officer Jules Joseph Jean Bérubé, M.S.M., C.D.
Major Thomas Bradley, M.S.M., C.D.
Master Warrant Officer William John Crabb, M.S.M., C.D.
Major Marc G. Diamond, M.S.M., C.D.
Corporal Matthew John David Elliott, M.S.M.
Major Steven Geoffrey Graham, M.S.M., C.D.
Warrant Officer Eric Richard Green, M.S.M., C.D.
Warrant Officer James Adam Hunter, M.S.M., C.D.
Master Warrant Officer Stephen Goward Jeans, M.S.M., C.D.
Lieutenant Paul Joseph Ernest Lavigne, M.S.M., C.D.
Corporal Brett James Lovelace, M.S.M.
Commodore Paul Andrew Maddison, O.M.M., M.S.M., C.D.
Master Warrant Officer William Alan Richards, M.S.M., C.D.
Rear-Admiral Joseph Alphonse Denis Rouleau, O.M.M., M.S.M., C.D.
Corporal James Michael Ryan, M.S.M.
Colonel Richard Geoffrey St. John, M.S.M., C.D.

Special congratulations to Major Steve Graham, whom I hope to see at a class reunion later this year so I can congratulate him in person, hopefully with a libation in both of our hands.