For Valour

No excuse: I should have posted this earlier...

Congratulations to all those recognized by the Governor General for either valour or meritorious service last week.

Here are the citations for valour:

Warrant Officer David George Shultz, S.M.V., C.D.
Edmonton and St. Albert, Alberta
Star of Military Valour

On May 6, 2008, a Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team patrol was ambushed in the Zhari district of Afghanistan. At the first sign of contact, Warrant Officer Shultz formulated and executed a flanking manoeuvre to neutralize the insurgent position. After securing the area and providing a situational report, the patrol was attacked again. Regardless of the risks, Warrant Officer Shultz plunged into intense enemy fire to assess the situation, direct his soldiers and engage the enemy. He repeatedly re-entered the danger zone to extract casualties and execute the patrol’s fighting withdrawal. His leadership and courage inspired his soldiers and prevented further casualties.

***

Master Corporal Michael C. J. Bursey, M.M.V.
Shilo and Brandon, Manitoba; Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador
Medal of Military Valour

On September 3, 2008, during an insurgent ambush in the Zharey district of Afghanistan, an anti-tank round destroyed a light armoured vehicle, resulting in numerous serious casualties. While exposed to sustained enemy fire, Master Corporal Bursey repeatedly returned to the vehicle, in which ammunition was exploding in the ongoing fire, to help extract and tend to the casualties. Master Corporal Bursey’s composure and decisive actions ensured critical care for the casualties until their evacuation.

***

Sergeant Martin Joseph Jean Côté, M.M.V., C.D.
Edmonton and Lancaster Park, Alberta; Québec, Quebec
Medal of Military Valour

On June 2, 2008, insurgents ambushed a joint Canadian-Afghan patrol in the Zhari district of Afghanistan. As the patrol moved to seek cover, they triggered an improvised explosive device that seriously injured four members. Shaking off the effects of a severe concussion and oblivious to the ongoing attack, Sergeant Côté triaged the casualties, passed vital information to headquarters and began life-saving treatment. With the patrol unable to effectively break contact, he continued to expose himself to intense enemy fire, to treat injuries and encourage wounded personnel during the prolonged fighting withdrawal.

***

Warrant Officer Robin John Crane, M.M.V., C.D.
Edmonton and Morinville, Alberta; Bay Bulls, Newfoundland and Labrador
Corporal Tyler Brian Myroniuk, M.M.V.
Edmonton, Alberta
Medals of Military Valour

On August 4, 2008, insurgent forces surrounded an Afghan National Army company in a complex ambush in the Panjwayi district of Afghanistan. Warrant Officer Crane and Corporal Myroniuk selflessly remained in the danger zone to extract an Afghan casualty and support another Canadian soldier who was caught in the open. Together, they stood against over 30 insurgents using small arms fire and, when their ammunition was depleted, resorted to hand grenades to hold off the enemy. The courage of Warrant Officer Crane and Corporal Myroniuk saved Canadian and Afghan lives and prevented the company from being outflanked.

***

Corporal Mark C. W. Ejdrygiewicz, M.M.V.
Shilo, Manitoba and Lethbridge, Alberta
Medal of Military Valour

On September 3, 2008, during an insurgent ambush in the Zharey district of Afghanistan, an anti-tank round destroyed a light armoured vehicle, resulting in numerous serious casualties. While under constant fire from the enemy, Corporal Ejdrygiewicz worked to extract the injured from the vehicle, in which ammunition began exploding, while alternately providing suppressive fire against the insurgents. Corporal Ejdrygiewicz’s selfless courage under fire was pivotal to the protection and treatment of casualties.

***

Master Corporal Brent W. L. Gallant, M.M.V.
Borden and Angus, Ontario; Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia
Medal of Military Valour

On June 2, 2008, a Canadian soldier was wounded during an insurgent ambush in the Zharey district of Afghanistan. Surrounded on three sides, Master Corporal Gallant made his way through heavy enemy machine-gun fire to the casualty’s location and began treatment while using his body to shield the soldier from ricochets. Master Corporal Gallant’s unwavering devotion, courage and decisive actions were critical in the treatment and evacuation of the casualty, and were an inspiration to fellow soldiers of his platoon.

***

Sergeant Russell J. R. Gregoire, M.M.V., C.D.
Shilo, Manitoba; Fort Frances and Timmins, Ontario
Medal of Military Valour

On June 14, 2008, Sergeant Gregoire’s section was ambushed in the Zhari district of Afghanistan. What was initially considered light contact quickly became a concentrated amount of small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire, splitting the section in two. With the lead element taking a serious casualty and in danger of being overrun, Sergeant Gregoire formulated an extraction plan. Regardless of the risks, he led the remainder of the section into heavier fire to provide cover for the beleaguered soldiers’ evacuation. Sergeant Gregoire’s selfless devotion and courage inspired his platoon throughout the three-hour engagement.

***

Sergeant Jayson William Kapitaniuk, M.M.V.
Edmonton, Alberta
Medal of Military Valour

On June 14, 2008, during a major battle group operation in the Zharey district of Afghanistan, elements of C Company were ambushed by insurgent forces. In an attempt to support a platoon that was pinned down under heavy fire, Sergeant Kapitaniuk repeatedly exposed himself to intense enemy fire to regroup his own troops and to relay counter-attack directives. His leadership, determination, and courage were vital to the effectiveness of his unit throughout the engagement and fighting withdrawal.

***

Corporal Jordan E. Kochan, M.M.V.
Shilo, Manitoba and Cochrane, Alberta
Medal of Military Valour

On September 3, 2008, during an insurgent ambush in the Zharey district of Afghanistan, an anti-tank round destroyed a light armoured vehicle, creating a deadly mass-casualty situation. Exposed to sustained enemy fire and the exploding ammunition from the burning vehicle, Corporal Kochan, then private, assisted and treated one of the wounded soldiers who had been ejected from the vehicle by the blast. With insurgents targeting the casualty collection points, Corporal Kochan’s actions were vital to the treatment and evacuation of casualties.

***

Master Corporal Paul D. Rachynski, M.M.V.
Edmonton and Bonnyville, Alberta
Medal of Military Valour

On May 6, 2008, a Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team patrol was ambushed in the Zharey district of Afghanistan. After neutralizing the initial threat, Master Corporal Rachynski selflessly led both Canadian and Afghan soldiers through heavy insurgent fire to rejoin his besieged patrol. Master Corporal Rachynski’s determination and calm under fire allowed his patrol to evacuate the wounded and execute a fighting withdrawal with no further casualties.

***

Corporal Anthony J. R. Rotondi, M.M.V.
Edmonton, Alberta and Hamilton, Ontario
Medal of Military Valour

On May 6, 2008, a Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team patrol was ambushed in the Zharey district of Afghanistan. While exposed to intense enemy fire, Corporal Rotondi assisted two seriously injured fellow soldiers and relentlessly returned fire to allow first aid and casualty evacuation. Corporal Rotondi’s bravery and perseverance in the face of a determined enemy were inspirational to those around him and helped save the lives of fellow soldiers.

***

Warrant Officer Dale Milton Verge, M.M.V., C.D.
Stephenville and Beachside, Newfoundland and Labrador
Medal of Military Valour

On March 30, 2008, insurgents initiated a fierce and persistent attack on an Afghan police sub-station in Spin Pir, Afghanistan. Early in the action, Warrant Officer Verge sustained significant injuries. Oblivious to his wounds, he re-engaged with suppressive fire and directed effective point defence, neutralizing the enemy and repelling the attack. Warrant Officer Verge’s selfless courage, tactical acumen and leadership set an example of resolve and prevented the sub-station from being overrun.

What an exceptional group of people. Reading the citations and the level of danger these men exposed themselves to, I'm amazed none of them are being awarded these decorations posthumously. Indeed, I'm thankful they aren't.

Following are the recipients of the Meritorious Service decorations:

Master Warrant Officer Rodney Albert Dearing, M.S.C., C.D.
Commander Pierre Christophe Dickinson, M.S.C., C.D.
Lieutenant-General Joseph Guy Marc Lessard, C.M.M., M.S.C., C.D.
Warrant Officer John Robert McNabb, M.S.C., C.D.
Lieutenant-Colonel Darryl Albert Mills, M.S.C., C.D.
Chief Warrant Officer Giovanni Moretti, M.M.M., M.S.C., C.D.
Brigadier-General Denis William Thompson, O.M.M., M.S.C., C.D.
Major James Edward Allen, M.S.M., C.D.
Warrant Officer Todd Barry Buchanan, M.S.M., C.D.
Colonel Jamieson Cade, M.S.M., C.D.
Major Michael Roy Deutsch, M.S.M., C.D.
Warrant Officer Michael Patrick Forest, M.S.M., C.D.
Major Stacy Allan Grubb, M.S.M., C.D.
Major Joseph Antonio Marcel Louis Hamel, M.S.M., C.D.
Colonel Charles Mark Hazleton, O.M.M., M.S.M., C.D.
Colonel Yann John Hidiroglou, M.S.M., C.D. (Retired)
Warrant Officer Kevin Thomas Johnson, M.S.M., C.D.
Colonel Vihar Govind Joshi, M.S.M., C.D.
Commander Kelly Brian Larkin, M.S.M., C.D.
Master Corporal Tyler J. Latta, M.S.M.
Major John Robert Prudent Latulippe, M.S.M., C.D.
Corporal Marc L. S. Murray, M.S.M.
Commander Steven Paget, M.S.M., C.D.
Master Corporal Jacob N. Petten, M.S.M.
Warrant Officer Jason Guy Pickard, M.S.M., C.D.
Major Catherine Enid Potts, M.S.M., C.D.
Corporal John Clifton Wayne Prior, M.S.M.
Colonel Jean-François Riffou, M.S.M., C.D.
Major Robert Tennant Ritchie, M.S.M., C.D.
Captain (N) Brendan Ryan, M.S.M., C.D.
Corporal Cameron M. Smithers, M.S.M.
Lieutenant-Colonel Martha-Anne Paule Stouffer, M.S.M., C.D.
Corporal Rory E. Swanson, M.S.M.
Commander John Aubrey Williston, M.S.M., C.D.
Warrant Officer Terence Charles Wolaniuk, M.S.M., C.D.

Bravo Zulu!