For Valour

An even dozen Canadian soldiers will soon join the ranks of those wearing the Medal of Military Valour, according to the Governor General:

Corporal Michel Beaulieu, M.M.V.
Ville de La Baie, Valcartier and Québec, Quebec
Medal of Military Valour

Corporal Beaulieu was the gunner on board a light armoured vehicle when, on October 5, 2007, during a combat logistic patrol in Afghanistan, the vehicle was severely damaged by an explosive device. Although he was injured and under sustained enemy fire, Corporal Beaulieu dismounted the vehicle and manually engaged the enemy, exposing himself to great peril. His heroic actions contributed to neutralizing the insurgents and saved the lives of many members of his platoon.

***

Captain Joseph Maurice Jocelyn Bordeleau, M.M.V., C.D.
Québec and Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier, Quebec
Medal of Military Valour

On September 25, 2007, while under enemy fire in Afghanistan, Captain Bordeleau expertly directed the intervention of the Quick Reaction Force while administering first aid to a critically wounded soldier. In addition to demonstrating leadership and control, Captain Bordeleau’s actions saved the life of a fellow soldier.

***

Corporal Yan Dodier, M.M.V.
Québec and Magog, Quebec
Medal of Military Valour

Corporal Dodier was deployed with B Company, 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, in the volatile district of Zharey, in Afghanistan. On November 17, 2007, during an ongoing combat operation, he selflessly drew enemy fire to his position, allowing the members of his platoon to suppress the enemy, which had surrounded and trapped them for several hours.

***

Master Corporal Érik Dubois, M.M.V.
Valcartier, Shannon and Pierrefonds, Quebec
Medal of Military Valour

On September 27, 2007, despite being wounded during a combat operation, Master Corporal Dubois carried, on his back, a critically wounded comrade over 150 metres of difficult terrain. In addition to assisting the soldier, his actions also enabled the safe withdrawal of his platoon from an enemy kill zone in Afghanistan.

***

Sergeant Stéphane Girard, M.M.V., C.D.
Valcartier, Saint-Jean-Chrysostome and Magpie, Quebec
Medal of Military Valour

On October 10, 2007, Sergeant Girard demonstrated leadership and dedication as a mentor to the Afghan National Army. He selflessly exposed himself to enemy fire to better direct the advancing Afghan soldiers, enabling them to take control of a perilous situation and complete their assigned mission.

***

Warrant Officer Joseph Yves Léon Gonneville, M.M.V., C.D.
Valcartier and St-Tite, Quebec
Medal of Military Valour

On October 23, 2007, during a complex combat operation in the district of Zharey, Warrant Officer Gonneville evacuated two wounded soldiers while under intense fire, and helped to successfully repel a determined enemy as a member of the Operational Mentor and Liaison team, in Afghanistan.

***

Warrant Officer Joseph Jacques Stéphane Grenier, M.M.V., C.D.
Valcartier, Shannon and Saint-Ligouri, Quebec
Medal of Military Valour

Warrant Officer Grenier, then Sergeant, distinguished himself by his valiant conduct under intense fire, when his section was ambushed, in Afghanistan, on September 27, 2007. He selflessly exposed himself to great peril when he engaged the enemy to rescue and evacuate two wounded soldiers, all the while coordinating the tactical withdrawal of his troops. His immediate actions contributed to saving numerous lives.

***

Warrant Officer Joseph Mario Sylvain Isabelle, M.M.V., C.D.
Valcartier, Shannon and Lac-Mégantic, Quebec
Medal of Military Valour

On September 24, 2007, during a combat operation in Afghanistan, Warrant Officer Isabelle provided life-saving first aid to seriously injured crewmates after their vehicle was destroyed by an enemy strike. Despite being seriously wounded and completely exposed to enemy fire, he led the successful evacuation of his injured platoon members while directing a counterattack against the insurgents.

***

Major Michel Louis Lapointe, M.M.V., M.S.M., C.D.
Ottawa, Ontario, Valcartier and Shawinigan-Sud, Quebec
Medal of Military Valour

On September 25, 2007, Major Lapointe demonstrated remarkable leadership and courage. He inspired his troops, as well as the members of the Afghan National Police under his command, by quickly forming an ad hoc intervention force to counter a well-coordinated ambush by insurgent forces.

***

Corporal Edward R.G. Morley, M.M.V.
Edmonton, Alberta and Hamilton, Ontario
Medal of Military Valour

On September 24, 2007, during a combat operation in Afghanistan, Corporal Morley left his own armoured vehicle to provide first aid to a critically wounded soldier until evacuation was possible. Under the threat of the enemy, he reacted courageously to ensure the survival of a comrade.

***

Corporal Erik Poelzer, M.M.V.
Edmonton, St. Albert and Hinton, Alberta
Medal of Military Valour

On September 24, 2007, during a combat operation in Afghanistan, Corporal Poelzer demonstrated courage and exceptional technical skills by coordinating a vehicle recovery effort through hours of sustained enemy attacks. He continuously exposed himself to great risk while preventing a vital piece of equipment from falling into enemy hands.

***

Captain Joseph Hughes Stéphane Tremblay, M.M.V., C.D.
Valcartier, Alma and Shannon, Quebec
Medal of Military Valour

Acting as a mentor to the Afghan National Army during his deployment, Captain Tremblay, then Lieutenant, led Afghan soldiers during a combat operation on September 8, 2007, under enemy fire. His leadership and courage inspired his troops to bring the mission to its successful completion.

A hearty Bravo Zulu to all those receiving these decorations for valour. Your service is an inspiration.

The following CF members will receive Meritorious Service decorations:

Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Roger Alain Gauthier, M.S.C., C.D.
Brigadier-General Joseph René Marcel Guy Laroche, O.M.M., M.S.C., C.D.
Chief Warrant Officer Joseph Georges Jean Pierre Marchand, M.M.M., M.S.C., C.D.
Master Warrant Officer Joseph Christian Michel Mario Mercier, M.S.C., C.D. (posthumous)
Corporal Julie Marie Micheline Alain, M.S.M.
Chief Warrant Officer Gilles Arcand, M.M.M., M.S.M., C.D.
Captain Dennie Bourque, M.S.M.
Corporal Pierre Brûlé Jr., M.S.M.
Captain Robert Colbourne, M.S.M., C.D.
Major Steven Pierre Desjardins, M.S.M., C.D.
Corporal Philippe Fortin, M.S.M.
Captain Frédérick Jean, M.S.M.
Major Michel Louis Lapointe, M.M.V., M.S.M., C.D.
Major Patrick Henri Gérard Hubert Robichaud, M.S.M., C.D.

I think a few further points are worth noting.

First - and I mean this as no slight to anyone decorated for service in Afghanistan - why has it been over a year since we've seen the awarding of a Mentioned in Dispatches?

Second, it will undoubtedly be small consolation to the friends and family of MWO Mercier, but the posthumous award of the M.S.C. is more than a token recognition; those who knew him should be very proud.

Third, it should be noted with great respect that Maj Lapointe is being recognized with both the M.M.V. and the M.S.M. for his tour in Afghanistan.

Finally, to those who would ignorantly argue against a Canadian "combat mission" in Afghanistan, I would point out that a full third of the decorations for valour announced by Mme. Jean this time (not to mention another four M.S.M.'s) are being awarded to personnel who were engaged in mentoring positions with the ANSF (ANP & ANA). If we're going to do anything worthwhile in southern Afghanistan at all, we cannot avoid combat.

Congratulations to all those recognized by the Governor General, the Canadian Forces, and a grateful and admiring nation.