June 7, 2010
OTTAWA—On behalf of Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, Mr. James Wright, Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, presented a Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division) to Colonel Philip M. L. Napier of the British Army, during a ceremony in London, on June 3, 2010.
Colonel Napier’s citation follows. For additional information on the Meritorious Service Decorations, please see Annex A.
Colonel Philip M. L. Napier, M.S.M.
Salisbury and London, United Kingdom
Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division)
Colonel Napier, of the British Army, was deployed to Afghanistan as chief of staff for the Afghan Regional Security Integration Command (South) Headquarters, from January to October 2008. His competence in synchronizing the efforts of multinational headquarters staff ensured the development of a comprehensive regional action plan that enabled subordinate task forces to develop their own plans of action within the framework of a sustainable regional peace perspective. Colonel Napier’s firm management of resources and outstanding leadership made possible unprecedented operational momentum and enhanced operations in southern Afghanistan.
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Annex A – 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.
