Valour

Group shot of the recipients at the 15 November 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.

 

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 15 November 2012, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, presented 2 Military Valour Decorations and 43 Meritorious Service Decorations to members of Canadian and allied forces. The Governor General said, in part:

“This is the time of year when Canadians pause to give thanks for the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families. Therefore, in addition to recognizing your achievements today, let us take this opportunity to remember that military sacrifices continue to be made on our behalf, to the present day. For this, all Canadians are grateful. These decorations are among the highest honours our country can award to members of the Canadian Forces and to the armed forces of our allies. You serve with so many dedicated and deserving servicemen and women, but today we honour you for your extraordinary accomplishments. Having read your citations, I can understand why. Simply put, each of you has shown outstanding ability and determination in the exercise of your duties. In some cases, those virtues took the form of incredible bravery and selflessness under fire… In all instances, you answered the call to service in remarkable ways.

…With these decorations for military valour and meritorious service, your responsibility among your comrades and colleagues is now even greater. Never underestimate the power of your example to inspire others.

…These decorations are a testament to your courage, ingenuity and quiet determination, and they also extend to your families and loved ones, who in their own way have accepted the demands of service.

And so it is with great admiration that I offer my thanks and congratulations to each of you for your service and valour.

Thank you.”

 

MILITARY VALOUR DECORATIONS

Star of Military Valour

Private Taumy St-Hilaire, SMV ~ Montréal, Quebec

Medal of Military Valour

Specialist David Fletcher Graves, MMV (United States Army) ~ Wolfe City Texas, U.S.A.

CITATIONS

Private Taumy St-Hilaire, SMV
Montréal, Quebec
Star of Military Valour

On April 19, 2011, Private St-Hilaire demonstrated exceptional courage during a battle in Afghanistan. While engaging the enemy from his rooftop position, he noticed an Afghan father and son pinned down under enemy fire. On his own initiative, and despite enemy aggression from three separate positions, he requested covering fire before going down to the exposed victims to lead them to shelter. Private St-Hilaire’s bravery and selflessness enabled him to save both lives and to quell the attack.

Private St-Hilaire receives his Star of Military Valour from the Governor General at Rideau Hall.

Specialist David Fletcher Graves, MMV (United States Army)
Wolfe City, Texas, USA
Staff Sergeant Adam Hever, 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.

Staff Sergeant Hever received his insignia at an earlier ceremony.

Specialist Graves is congratulated by the Governor General after receiving his Medal of Military Valour.