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Valour
GG2009-0539-103 by Sergeant Serge Gouin, Rideau Hall
Group shot of the medal recipients and the Governor General at the 13 November ceremony in Rideau Hall.
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Canada’s 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 1 January 1993. All 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 or 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.
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. Like the military valour decorations, the Mention in Dispatches may be awarded posthumously.
On 13 November 2009, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, awarded 11 Military Valour decorations – one Star and ten Medals – to members of the Canadian Forces who displayed gallantry and devotion to duty in combat. Readers should note that the ranks used in the following column reflect the substantive ranks held by the recipients at the time of the respective combat incidents.
Star of Military Valour
- Warrant Officer David George Shultz
Medal of Military Valour
- Master Corporal Michael J.C. Bursey
- Sergeant Martin Joseph Jean Côté
- Warrant Officer Robin John Crane
- Corporal Mark C.W. Ejdrygiewicz
- Master Corporal Brent W.L. Gallant
- Sergeant Jayson William Kapitaniuk
- Corporal Jordan E. Kochan
- Corporal Tyler Brian Myroniuk
- Corporal Anthony J.R. Rotondi
- Warrant Officer Dale Milton Verge
GG2009-0539-004 by Sergeant Serge Gouin, Rideau Hall
Warrant Officer David George Shultz receives his Star of Military Valour from the Governor General.
Citations
Star of Military Valour
Warrant Officer David George Shultz, SMV, CD
Edmonton and St. Albert, Alberta
On May 6, 2008, a Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team patrol was ambushed in the Zharey district of Afghanistan. At the first sign of contact, Warrant Officer Shultz formulated and executed a flanking manoeuvre to neutralize the insurgent position. After securing the area and providing a situational report, the patrol was attacked again. Regardless of the risks, Warrant Officer Shultz plunged into intense enemy fire to assess the situation, direct his soldiers and engage the enemy. He repeatedly entered the danger zone to extract casualties and execute the patrol’s fighting withdrawal. His leadership and courage inspired his soldiers and prevented further casualties.
Medal of Military Valour
Master Corporal Michael J.C. Bursey, MMV
Shilo and Brandon, Manitoba
Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador
On September 3, 2008, during an insurgent ambush in the Zharey district of Afghanistan, an anti-tank round destroyed a light armoured vehicle, resulting in numerous serious casualties. While exposed to sustained enemy fire, Master Corporal Bursey repeatedly returned to the vehicle, in which ammunition was exploding in the ongoing fire, to help extract and tend to the casualties. Master Corporal Bursey’s composure and decisive actions ensured critical care for the casualties until their evacuation.
Medal of Military Valour
Sergeant Martin Joseph Jean Côté, MMV, CD,
Edmonton and Lancaster Park, Alberta; Québec, Quebec
On June 2, 2008, insurgents ambushed a joint Canadian-Afghan patrol in the Zharey district of Afghanistan. As the patrol moved to seek cover, they triggered an improvised explosive device that seriously injured four members. Shaking off the effects of a severe concussion and oblivious to the ongoing attack, Sergeant Côté triaged the casualties, passed vital information to headquarters and began life-saving treatment. With the patrol unable to effectively break contact, he continued to expose himself to intense enemy fire, to treat injuries and encourage wounded personnel during the prolonged fighting withdrawal.
Medal of Military Valour
Warrant Officer Robin John Crane, MMV, CD
Edmonton and Morinville, Alberta
Bay Bulls, Newfoundland and Labrador
Corporal Tyler Brian Myroniuk, MMV
Edmonton, Alberta
On August 4, 2008, insurgent forces surrounded an Afghan National Army company in a complex ambush in the Panjwayi district of Afghanistan. Warrant Officer Crane and Corporal Myroniuk selflessly remained in the danger zone to extract an Afghan casualty and support another Canadian soldier who was caught in the open. Together, they stood against over 30 insurgents using small arms fire and, when their ammunition was depleted, resorted to hand grenades to hold off the enemy. The courage of Warrant Officer Crane and Corporal Myroniuk saved Canadian and Afghan lives and prevented the company from being outflanked.
Medal of Military Valour
Corporal Mark C.W. Ejdrygiewicz, MMV
Shilo, Manitoba, and Lethbridge, Alberta
On September 3, 2008, during an insurgent ambush in the Zharey district of Afghanistan, an anti-tank round destroyed a light armoured vehicle, resulting in numerous serious casualties. While under constant fire from the enemy, Corporal Ejdrygiewicz worked to extract the wounded from the vehicle, in which ammunition began exploding, while alternately providing suppressive fire against the insurgents. Corporal Ejdrygiewicz’s selfless courage under fire was pivotal to the protection and treatment of casualties.
Medal of Military Valour
Master Corporal Brent W.L. Gallant, MMV
Borden and Angus, Ontario; Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia
On June 2, 2008, a Canadian soldier was wounded during an insurgent ambush in the Zharey district of Afghanistan. Surrounded on three sides, Master Corporal Gallant made his way through heavy enemy machine-gun fire to the casualty’s location and began treatment while using his body to shield the soldier from ricochets. Master Corporal Gallant’s unwavering devotion, courage and decisive actions were critical in the treatment and evacuation of the casualty, and were an inspiration to fellow soldiers of his platoon.
Medal of Military Valour
Sergeant Jayson William Kapitaniuk, MMV
Edmonton, Alberta
On June 14, 2008, during a major battle group operation in the Zharey district of Afghanistan, elements of C Company were ambushed by insurgent forces. In an attempt to support a platoon that was pinned down under heavy fire, Sergeant Kapitaniuk repeatedly exposed himself to intense enemy fire to regroup his own troops and to relay counter-attack directives. His leadership, determination, and courage were vital to the effectiveness of his unit throughout the engagement and fighting withdrawal.
Medal of Military Valour
Corporal Jordan E. Kochan, MMV
Shilo, Manitoba, and Cochrane, Alberta
On September 3, 2008, during an insurgent ambush in the Zharey district of Afghanistan, an anti-tank round destroyed a light armoured vehicle, creating a deadly mass-casualty situation. Exposed to sustained enemy fire and the exploding ammunition from the burning vehicle, Corporal Kochan, then private, assisted and treated one of the wounded soldiers who had been ejected from the vehicle by the blast. With insurgents targeting the casualty collection points, Corporal Kochan’s actions were vital to the treatment and evacuation of casualties.
Medal of Military Valour
Corporal Anthony J.R. Rotondi, MMV
Edmonton, Alberta, and Hamilton, Ontario
On May 6, 2008, a Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team patrol was ambushed in the Zahrey district of Afghanistan. While exposed to intense enemy fire, Corporal Rotondi assisted two seriously injured fellow soldiers and relentlessly returned fire to allow first aid and casualty evacuation. Corporal Rotondi’s bravery and perseverance in the face of a determined enemy were inspirational to those around him and helped save the lives of fellow soldiers.
Medal of Military Valour
Warrant Officer Dale Milton Verge, MMV, CD
Stephenville and Beachside, Newfoundland and Labrador
On March 30, 2008, insurgents initiated a fierce and persistent attack on an Afghan police substation in Spin Pir, Afghanistan. Early in the action, Warrant Officer Verge sustained significant injuries. Oblivious to his wounds, he re-engaged with suppressive fire and directed effective point defence, neutralizing the enemy and repelling the attack. Warrant Officer Verge’s selfless courage, tactical acumen and leadership set an example of resolve and prevented the substation from being overrun.
Victoria Cross |
Star of Military Valour |
Medal of Military Valour |
