November 7, 2007
OTTAWAOn behalf of Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, Lieutenant-General Jan Arp, Chief of Staff, NATO Headquarters Supreme Allied Command Transformation, presented the Meritorious Service Cross (Military Division) to General Lance L. Smith, in Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.A., on November 6, 2007.
The following text is the official citation:
General Lance L. Smith, M.S.C.Norfolk, Virginia, USAMeritorious Service Cross (Military Division)
As a visionary leader, General Smith, of the United States Air Force, demonstrated outstanding foresight and resolve while skilfully guiding the transformation of NATO. His efforts to change Alliance doctrine, training, concept development and experimentation had direct impact on similar advances in Canadian Forces processes and operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo. His immediate and unconditional support following a tragic friendly fire accident that claimed the lives of Canadian soldiers in 2006, resulted in unprecedented collaboration between NATO, Canadian and U.S. investigation teams, and in the identification of several crucial lessons for future joint operations. His many achievements contributed greatly to collective security and constitute unique and meritorious service to Canada.
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Media informationMarie-Paule Thorn Rideau Hall Press Office 613-993-2569 www.gg.ca
Media Liaison Office Department of National Defence613-996-2353 or 613‑996‑2354www.forces.gc.ca
Annex A MERITORIOUS SERVICE DECORATIONSThese 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.
