Valour

Group shot of recipients at the 22 June 2012 presentation ceremony, Rideau Hall.

Sergeant Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall Office of the Secretary to the
Governor General (2012)

Group shot of recipients at the 22 June 2012 presentation ceremony, Rideau Hall.

Print PDF

For more information on accessing this file, please visit our help page.

Group shot of the recipients (outside) at the 22 June 2012 presentation ceremony held at Rideau Hall

Canada’s 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 1 January 1993. All the decorations may be awarded posthumously.

Victoria Cross Star of Military Valour Medal of Military Valour
       Victoria Cross        Star of Military Valour       Medal of Military Valour

 

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.

Additionally, 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 22 June 2012, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, presented 6 Military Valour Decorations and 38 Meritorious Service Decorations to members of Canadian and allied forces. The Governor General said, in part:

“We honour today your bravery in the field, your actions which directly enhanced the safety of your comrades-in-arms. Yet, I would be remiss if I did not also honour how you have defended the ideals that we hold dear and how you helped to promote peace, sometimes by the strength – by the virtue – of your character alone. Congratulations to all of you and thank you for your continued service.”

 

MILITARY VALOUR DECORATIONS

Medal of Military Valour

Corporal Brian Bélanger, MMV ~ Montréal, Quebec
Captain Ashley Collette, MMV ~ Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Specialist David Fletcher Graves, MMV (US Army) ~ Wolfe City, Texas
Staff Sergeant Adam Herver, MMV (US Army) ~ Peabody, Massachusetts
Corporal Eric Monnin, MMV ~ Cornwall, Ontario
Master Corporal Charles St-Pierre, MMV ~ Saint-Quentin, New Brunswick

CITATIONS

Corporal Brian Bélanger, MMV
Montréal, Quebec
Medal of Military Valour

On April 13, 2011, Corporal Bélanger’s joint Canadian-Afghan patrol was ambushed in the Panjwayi district, resulting in an Afghan soldier being wounded. Exposing himself to enemy fire, Corporal Bélanger, the patrol’s medical technician, resolutely made his way to the wounded soldier and dragged him to cover. As bullets continued to ricochet around them, he administered first aid. Because of his professionalism and dedication, Corporal Bélanger saved the life of a fellow soldier.

Captain Ashley Collette, MMV
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Medal of Military Valour

As a platoon commander from May to December 2010, Captain Collette demonstrated front line leadership that was critical to her soldiers’ success during intense combat in Afghanistan. Stationed in volatile Nakhonay, her platoon regularly faced the threat posed by improvised explosive devices, all while repelling numerous attacks on their base. Despite suffering casualties within the group, she kept her soldiers focused and battle-ready; her desire to succeed never wavered. Captain Collette’s fortitude under fire and performance in combat were critical to defeating the enemy and disrupting all insurgent attempts to reoccupy this key village.

Specialist David Fletcher Graves, MMV (United States Army)
Wolfe City, Texas, USA
Staff Sergeant Adam Heyer, MMV (United States Army)
Peabody, Massachusetts, USA
Medal of Military Valour

On August 3, 2010, Specialist Graves and Staff Sergeant Hever, both of the 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army, and part of the Canadian-led Task Force Kandahar, were conducting a training exercise within Kandahar Airfield when insurgents tried to force their way inside the compound. Unarmed and under fire, Specialist Graves and Staff Sergeant Hever secured weapons and moved to a position of cover in order to engage the enemy. Despite intense enemy action, they maintained their position and delivered accurate return fire. Their courage, decisiveness and soldiering ability neutralized the attack and enabled friendly forces to find safety.

Specialist Graves will receive his insignia at a later date

Corporal Eric Monnin, MMV
Cornwall, Ontario
Medal of Military Valour

On July 9, 2010, two of Corporal Monnin’s fellow soldiers were wounded during a combat operation in Afghanistan. Under increasing enemy fire, he requested permission to move forward and then sprinted across the exposed terrain to reach their position. As bullets continued to fly, he rendered first aid, assisted with the wounded soldiers’ extraction, and rejoined his platoon for the remainder of the engagement. Whether rendering first aid under fire or engaging the enemy, Corporal Monnin saved the lives of his comrades through his courageous and selfless actions.

Master Corporal Charles St-Pierre, MMV
Saint-Quentin, New Brunswick
Medal of Military Valour

From July 30 to August 2, 2010, Master Corporal St-Pierre displayed courage and composure while providing fire support coordination during a four-day combat operation in the Arghandab Valley of Kandahar, Afghanistan. Constantly under fire, he willingly and repeatedly exposed himself to attacks while identifying enemy positions and directing fire upon them. Despite being struck in the helmet by an enemy bullet, he never wavered from his responsibilities. Master Corporal St-Pierre’s courage and soldiering ability were critical to the success of the operation.