For Valour

The Governor General announced the awarding of eleven Military Valour decorations, and a number of Meritorious Service decorations yesterday.

Corporal James Ball, S.M.V.
Edmonton, Alberta and Winnipeg, Manitoba
Star of Military Valour

Captain Jonathan Snyder, S.M.V. (deceased)
Edmonton, Alberta and Penticton, British Columbia
Star of Military Valour

Corporal Steven Bancarz, M.M.V.
Edmonton and Calgary, Alberta
Medal of Military Valour

Corporal Cary Baker, M.M.V.
Edmonton, Alberta and Rossland, British Columbia
Medal of Military Valour

Captain Robert Peel, M.M.V., C.D.
Victoria, British Columbia
Medal of Military Valour

Corporals Baker, Ball and Bancarz, and captains Peel and Snyder were deployed to Afghanistan to serve as mentors to an Afghan company, when they were ambushed by Taliban insurgents on June 4, 2008. With little chance of survival, they exposed themselves to great peril and retaliated against the enemy while encouraging the Afghan soldiers to do the same. Captain Snyder seized control of the situation and ensured that the Afghan soldiers retrieved their wounded comrades. Corporal Ball led a two-man team across broken terrain to secure an extraction route that allowed for the execution of a fighting withdrawal by Captain Peel and corporals Bancarz and Baker. Because of their dedication, leadership and valour, many Afghan and Canadian lives were saved.

***

Sergeant William Kenneth MacDonald, S.M.V., C.D.
Denwood, Alberta and Regina, Saskatoon
Star of Military Valour

On August 3, 2006, amidst chaos and under sustained and intense enemy fire in Afghanistan, Sergeant MacDonald selflessly and repeatedly exposed himself to great peril in order to assist his wounded comrades. Despite the risk, he ensured that his men held on until reinforcements arrived and that the platoon’s focus remained on holding the ground that they had fought so hard to secure.

***

Major Joseph Antoine Dave Abboud, M.S.C., M.M.V., C.D.
Leavenworth, Kansas, United States of America and Sherbrooke, Quebec
Medal of Military Valour

A selfless and devoted commander of B Company, 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment, Major Abboud led his combat team during an arduous battle in Afghanistan that lasted two days, in August 2007. His courage and leadership inspired his troops and contributed to the success of the mission.

***

Corporal Alexandre Benjamin Jonathan Dion, M.M.V.
Québec, Quebec
Medal of Military Valour

On September 27, 2007, in the Panjwayi district of Afghanistan, enemy forces ambushed Corporal Dion’s platoon and grievously wounded a fellow soldier. Under direct and sustained enemy fire, he carried the injured soldier over 150 meters of difficult terrain to safety. Corporal Dion’s valiant actions helped to save the life of his comrade and enabled his platoon to safely withdraw from the scene.

***

Master Corporal Christopher Lorne Harding, M.M.V.
Souris, Manitoba
Medal of Military Valour

Master Corporal Harding was deployed with 6 Platoon, B Company, 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, in Afghanistan. When his section was attacked on July 8, 2006, he selflessly advanced across open terrain and commanded the battle, while providing first aid to a critically wounded soldier. His courageous actions under intense fire enabled his section to hold its position and to save the life of a comrade.

***

Warrant Officer Tod Hopkin, M.M.V., C.D.
Edmonton and Wainwright, Alberta
Medal of Military Valour

On August 22 and 23, 2007, Warrant Officer Hopkin commanded the lead vehicle of a combat team through sustained enemy attacks, in Afghanistan, exposing himself to great risk in order to recapture a vital position. His composure and leadership were inspirational, and lead to the success of the mission.

***

Corporal Bryce Keller, M.M.V. (posthumous)
Sherwood Park, Alberta and Regina, Saskatchewan
Medal of Military Valour

On August 3, 2006, while exposed to intense enemy fire in Afghanistan, Corporal Keller demonstrated courage and leadership in order to allow his comrades to attend to a critically wounded soldier. Sadly, Corporal Keller made the ultimate sacrifice that day, but his selfless actions contributed to saving lives and enabled his platoon to hold vital terrain until reinforcements arrived.

Bravo Zulu to all these fine individuals on their recognition. While I'm sure it is scant consolation, I hope the families and friends of Capt Snyder and Cpl Keller can take some pride in the fact that the sacrifices of their loved ones have been publicly recognized in this way.

Following are the recipients of the Meritorious Service decorations:

Major Joseph Antoine Dave Abboud, M.S.C., M.M.V., C.D.
Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Keith Chamberlain, M.S.C., C.D.
Colonel Nicolas Eldaoud, M.S.C., C.D.
Major-General Timothy James Grant, O.M.M., M.S.C., C.D.
General Raymond Roland Joseph Henault, C.M.M., M.S.C., C.D. (retired)
Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Rosaire Aimé Stéphane Lafaut, M.S.C., C.D.
Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Langlais, M.S.C., C.D.
Colonel Michael John Pearson, M.S.C., C.D.
Major-General Walter Semianiw, O.M.M., M.S.C., C.D.
Lieutenant-General Waldemar Skrzypczak, M.S.C.
Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Jean-Pierre Bergeron, M.S.M., C.D.
Corporal Patrick James Berrea, M.S.M., C.D.
Captain James Brennan, M.S.M., C.D.
Master Corporal Christian Bureau, M.S.M.
Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Raymond Côté, M.S.M., C.D.
Corporal Dominic Couture, M.S.M.
Master Warrant Officer Joseph Lucien André Demers, M.S.M., C.D.
Master Corporal Steve Descarie, M.S.M., C.D.
Master Corporal Danielle Dumas, M.S.M.
Colonel Robert George (Geordie) Elms, M.S.M., C.D.
Honorary Colonel Blake Charles Goldring, M.S.M.
Major Pierre Huet, M.S.M., C.D.
Colonel J. C. G. Juneau, M.S.M., C.D.
Major Russell Joseph King, M.S.M., C.D.
Lieutenant-Colonel Douglas Marvin LaBrie, M.S.M., C.D.
Chief Warrant Officer Michel Landry, M.S.M., C.D.
Honorary Colonel Douglas Gordon Marr, M.S.M., C.D. (retired)
Lieutenant-Colonel Michael Charles Maurer, M.S.M., C.D.
Major James Duncan McKillip, M.S.M.*, C.D. (*Indicates the award of a second Meritorious Service Medal)
Lieutenant-Colonel Christian Mercier, M.S.M., C.D.
Major Richard Moffet, M.S.M., C.D.
Master Warrant Officer André Moreau, M.S.M., C.D.
Master Warrant Officer Sylvain Parent, M.S.M., C.D.
Colonel Thomas Seay, M.S.M.
Lieutenant Marc-Antoine Sigouin, M.S.M.
Major Peter Sullivan, M.S.M., C.D. (retired)
Colonel Luther (Trey) S. Turner III, M.S.M. (US Air Force)
Commander Stephen Alexander Virgin, M.S.M., C.D.

I note again, as I did the last time, that nobody has been awarded a Mentioned in Dispatches in well over a year. This strikes me as odd, and somewhat inexplicable. Here's a link to the latest MiD's, announced on Oct 21st. Unfortunately, there don't seem to be any citations available to read.

It is worth making specific mention of Maj Abboud's award of not only the M.S.C., but the M.M.V. as well. Well done, Major.

I have no particular issue with the awards - especially with HCol Goldring's recognition, as I'm a big fan of the Canada Company concept - but I do find it odd that two Honourary Colonels are among the current crop of M.S.M. awardees this time around.

I find myself intrigued, as well, by the M.S.M. citations for MCpls Descarie and Dumas, both for intelligence work. I suspect it will be a good many years before we find out much more about what that work entailed.

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