April 23, 2010
OTTAWA — On behalf of Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, General Walter Natynczyk, Chief of the Defence Staff, presented a Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division) to Vice Admiral Robert B. Murrett of the United States National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, during a ceremony at National Defence Headquarters on April 22, 2010.
Vice Admiral Murrett’s citation follows. For additional information on the Meritorious Service Decorations, please see Annex A.
Vice Admiral Robert B. Murrett, M.S.M.
Bethesda, Maryland, and Buffalo, New York, United States of America
Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division)
Since 2006, Vice Admiral Murrett has been the director of the United States National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, and functional manager for geospatial intelligence. His outstanding leadership and vision have been instrumental in improving access to and the sharing of geospatial intelligence, which has had a profound impact on safety and security both in Canada and in the United States. His continued advocacy towards a synergistic approach to interoperability among Allied nations has greatly contributed to the success of many Canadian Forces missions, both domestically and internationally.
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Media information:
Lucie Caron
Rideau Hall Press Office
613-993-8158
www.gg.ca
Department of National Defence Media Liaison Office
1-866-377-0811
613-996-2353
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.
