May 27, 2004 OTTAWA – On behalf of Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, Lieutenant-General Eric Allan Findley, Deputy Commander NORAD (North American Aerospace Defence Command) and senior officer of the Canadian Forces at NORAD, presented earlier today a Meritorious Service Medal (military division) to Lieutenant-General Edward Gustav Anderson III, of the United States Army. The Meritorious Service Medal was presented during a ceremony this afternoon at the Fort Carson army base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The appointment is in effect as of May 7, 2004. Meritorious Service Decorations may be awarded to both Canadians and non-Canadians. Lieutenant-General Anderson III was named the vice-director of the United States Element, NORAD in 2002, where he contributed directly to the success of Operation NOBLE EAGLE, the aim of which is to protect the aerospace of North America following September 11, 2001. His direct actions assured the safety of North American skies and have served to enhance and expand the Canadian and American bi-national relationship within NORAD. The following text is the official citation for Lieutenant-General Anderson III: Lieutenant-General Edward Gustav Anderson III, M.S.M. (US Army) Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Meritorious Service Medal (military division) LGen Anderson III, of the United States Army, consistently exhibited a high standard of professionalism, skill and initiative. Nowhere were these personal attributes more needed than during his tenure as deputy director of United States Space Command, vice-director of United States Element North American Aerospace Defence Command, deputy director of United States Northern Command and co-chair of the Bi-National Planning Group. During the creation of this planning group, LGen Anderson's visionary leadership enabled Canada and the United States to achieve new levels of military and civil cooperation. In 2002, his highly dedicated work and commendable actions contributed to the success of Operation NOBLE EAGLE, bringing great credit to the Canadian Forces and to Canada. For more information on Meritorious Service Decorations, please see attached annex or visit our web site at http://www.gg.ca/honours/msd_e.asp. -30- Media information Rideau Hall Press Office Marilyne Guèvremont, Lucie Brosseau or France Langlois (613) 998-7280, (613) 998-0287 or (613) 998-0287 www.gg.ca NORAD Public Affairs Major Douglas P. Martin (719) 554-5816 www.norad.mil Public information Chancellery of Honours Rideau Hall 1 800 465-6890 ANNEX: Background on Meritorious Service Decorations Meritorious Service Decorations are separated into military and civil divisions, with two levels in each category: a medal and a cross. The military division recognizes individuals for outstanding professionalism and for bringing honour to the Canadian Forces and to Canada. The civil division recognizes individuals who have performed an exceptional deed or an activity that has brought honour to their community or to Canada. These decorations are an important part of the Canadian Honours System and, like the Order of Canada, they recognize excellence. However, Meritorious Service Decorations honour either a single achievement or an activity over a specified period, while the Order of Canada focuses on lifetime achievement. The Meritorious Service Decorations are open to both Canadians and non-Canadians. Anyone may nominate an individual for the civil division of the Meritorious Service Decorations, while a commanding officer recommends possible candidates to a military advisory committee, which reviews nominations and submits names to the Chief of the Defence Staff. Nominations and awards may be made posthumously, but nominations for activities that occurred prior to June 1984, the year in which the honour was first created, are not accepted.
