April 24, 2007
OTTAWAHer Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, announced nine Military Valour Decorations to members of the Canadian Forces who have displayed gallantry and devotion to duty in combat. She also announced four Meritorious Services Decorations (Military Division) and seven Mention in Dispatches to individuals whose specific achievements have brought honour to the Canadian Forces and to Canada.
The recipients will be invited to receive their decoration or insignia at presentation ceremonies at a later date.
RECIPIENTS:Please note that the rank used in this document reflects the substantive rank held by the recipient at the time of the incident:
MILITARY VALOUR DECORATIONS
STAR OF MILITARY VALOUR
Name
Current posting
Corporal Sean Teal., S.M.V.
Petawawa, Ont.
Private Jess Randall Larochelle, S.M.V.
Petawawa, Ont.
MEDAL OF MILITARY VALOUR
Name
Current posting
Corporal Chad Gerald Chevrefils, M.M.V.
Shilo, Man.
Corporal Jason Funnell, M.M.V.
Petawawa, Ont.
Master-Corporal Sean Hubert Niefer, M.M.V.
Petawawa, Ont.
Private Michael Patrick O'Rourke, M.M.V.
Petawawa, Ont.
Corporal Clinton John Orr, M.M.V.
Petawawa, Ont.
Captain Michael John Reekie, M.M.V.
Shilo, Man.
Corporal Joseph Jason Lee Ruffolo, M.M.V.
Petawawa, Ont.
MERITORIOUS SERVICE DECORATIONS (MILITARY DIVISION)
MERITORIOUS SERVICE CROSS
Name
Current posting
Brigadier-General Gary James Patrick O'Brien, M.S.C., C.D.
Toronto, Ont.
MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL
Name
Current posting
Major Cary Arthur Baker, M.S.M., C.D.
Brunssum, The Netherlands
Master Warrant Officer Darcy Shawn Elder, M.S.M., C.D.
Ottawa, Ont.
Honorary Colonel Bernardus Antonios (Ben) Van Ruiten, M.S.M., C.D.
Winnipeg, Man.
MENTION IN DISPATCHES
Name
Current posting
Sergeant Brian Vincent Adams, C.D.
Shilo, Man.
Corporal William Jonathan Elliott
Shilo, Man.
Corporal Nigel Jason Gregg
Shilo, Man.
Master-Corporal Richard James Alan Harris, C.D.
Petawawa, Ont.
Sergeant Dan James Holley
Shilo, Man.
Master-Corporal Dwayne Robert Alvin Orvis
Petawawa, Ont.
Private Timmy Dean Wilkins
Shilo, Man.
Additional information on the Military Valour Decorations (Annex A), the Meritorious Service Decorations (Annex B) and Mentions in Dispatches (Annex C) are attached.
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Media information: Marie-Paule Thorn Rideau Hall Press Office 613-993-2569
Media Liaison Office Department of National Defence613-996-2353 or 613‑996‑2354
Annex A - MILITARY VALOUR DECORATIONS
The three Military Valour Decorations, namely the Victoria Cross, the Star of Military Valour and the Medal of Military Valour, were created by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, on January 1, 1993. The Decorations may be awarded posthumously.
The Victoria Cross is awarded for the most conspicuous bravery, a daring or pre‑eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty, in the presence of the enemy.
The Star of Military Valour is awarded for distinguished and valiant service in the presence of the enemy.
The Medal of Military Valour is awarded for an act of valour or devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.
Anyone can propose a nomination for the Military Valour Decorations. If a member of our Canadian Forces meets the criteria, submission will be made through the member's chain of command for consideration by the Military Valour Decorations Advisory Committee, and the Governor General. For all three Military Valour Decorations, recipients must be a member of the Canadian Forces or a member of an allied armed force that is serving with, or in conjunction with, the Canadian Forces, on or after January 1, 1993.
Shortly after the beginning of Canadian involvement in Afghanistan, it was established that the basic conditions for the awarding of the Decorations were met. The gallant actions of Canadian Forces members in the face of increased hostilities in recent months have provided the occasion to award them.
Annex B - MERITORIOUS SERVICE DECORATIONS
The Meritorious Service Decorations include a military division and a civil division, with two levels each: a medal and a cross. The military division recognizes individuals for their 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 brought honour to the community or to Canada.
The Meritorious Service Cross (Military Division) recognizes a military deed or activity that has been performed in an outstandingly professional manner, according to a rare high standard that brings considerable benefit or great honour to the Canadian Forces.
The Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division) recognizes a military deed or activity performed in a highly professional manner, according to a very high standard that brings benefit or honour to the Canadian Forces.
These decorations are an important part of the Canadian Honours System, which recognizes excellence. Meritorious Service Decorations honour either a single achievement or an activity over a specified period. 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 military candidates are recommended by 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.
Annex C - MENTIONS IN DISPATCHES
The Mention in Dispatches was created to recognize members of the Canadian Forces on active service and other individuals working with or in conjunction with the Canadian Forces for valiant conduct, devotion to duty or other distinguished service. Recipients are entitled to wear a bronze oak leaf on the appropriate campaign or service medal ribbon.
