Governor General Announces New Valour Decorations and Meritorious Service Awards

[TheHead]

Wow, that sounds like RUMINT at its best.  I am sure you have some justification for your allegations besides hearing it in the smoking area. 

That came from Mr Anderson's mouth himself when he talked to 1PPCLI A Coy and C Coy about how medals were given.  The justification was, I was there.

 

[TheHead]

I stand corrected.  Maybe you could have mentioned that with your initial post...

I apologize for the mis-information I should have.  I also didn't mean to sound rude if I did.  Also because I know Mr Anderson reads this side - I'm pretty positive that was your intent if I'm wrong please correct me.

 

[midget-boyd91]

Has anyone been able to find a place that contains the citations? Ive googled my computer to death with this one, but haven't found anything.

 

[armyvern]

Has anyone been able to find a place that contains the citations? Ive googled my computer to death with this one, but haven't found anything.

They are usually released at the foillowing Governor General Site:

http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=4008

although none of the Citations for the latest recipients have been released on this site yet. I can't seem to find the Citations detailed at any other ref at this point in time either. It could be just me being a numpty as per normal...anyone else able to find a link??

 

[HItorMiss]

Citations have not to my knowledge been released to the open public at this time.

 

[captjtq]

I sat one of the boards for these H&A as the MP A/CO while my CO was on HLTA. Just listening to LCol L reading some of the draft citations as we were going through the boards gave me goosebumps... I can't wait to read the final product. BZ to the troops! 

 

[midget-boyd91]

Bump for those who haven't found the citations yet.

Corporal Chad Gerald Chevrefils, M.M.V. Shilo and Pine Falls, Manitoba Medal of Military Valour

On August 19, 2006, Corporal Chevrefils, a member of Alpha Company, 1st Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, was the driver of a light armoured vehicle during an engagement with numerically superior Taliban forces in Masum Ghar. During the three‑hour firefight, he successfully maneuvered the vehicle through difficult terrain with consummate skill, enabling it to remain unscathed by enemy fire. He subsequently dismounted his vehicle under enemy fire to assist in the recovery of another light armoured vehicle. Corporal Chevrefils’ courageous and skillful actions helped to prevent the Taliban forces from outflanking the remainder of the Company and undoubtedly saved numerous lives.


Corporal Jason Funnell, M.M.V. Petawawa and Kingston, Ontario Medal of Military Valour

On September 3, 2006, during Operation MEDUSA in Afghanistan, Corporal Funnell of 7 Platoon Charles Company braved intense enemy fire to come to the assistance of his comrades trapped in a disabled vehicle in an enemy kill zone. Ignoring his personal safety by twice crossing ground covered by effective enemy fire, Corporal Funnell successfully assisted in the treatment and evacuation of his injured and killed comrades while returning effective fire. His brave and professional actions saved lives and allowed the orderly withdrawal of his platoon under heavy fire.


Master Corporal Sean Hubert Niefer, M.M.V. Petawawa and Prince Edwards-Hastings, Ontario Medal of Military Valour

Master Corporal Niefer was a member of Charles Company, 1st Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, in Rotation 2 of Operation ARCHER in Afghanistan. On September 3, 2006, while engaged in combat operations in support of Operation MEDUSA, he selflessly ordered his vehicle into the enemy kill zone to support extraction of wounded comrades trapped by an enemy ambush. He subsequently provided covering fire from a highly exposed position to facilitate their evacuation and, by doing so, saved the lives of numerous fellow soldiers. His outstanding leadership, courage and valiant action brought great credit to Canada and the Canadian Forces.


Private Michael Patrick O'Rourke, M.M.V. Petawawa and Renfrew, Ontario Medal of Military Valour

On September 3, 2006, Private O’Rourke, a member of 7 Platoon Charles Company participating in Operation MEDUSA, selflessly ignored his personal safety by braving intense enemy fire to assist in the treatment and evacuation of his comrades trapped in a disabled vehicle. Twice crossing through sustained enemy fire, Private O’Rourke returned effective fire and successfully assisted in the evacuation of the injured or killed personnel. His brave and professional actions saved lives and allowed the orderly withdrawal of his platoon under heavy fire.


Corporal Clinton John Orr, M.M.V. Belleville, Ontario; and Chilliwack, British Columbia Medal of Military Valour

Corporal Orr was a member of 23 Field Squadron, 1st Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, in Rotation 2 of Operation ARCHER in Afghanistan. On September 3, 2006, he was operating an armoured vehicle attached to 2 Troop during an assault in Pashmul. Amidst intense combat action and under direct enemy fire, he placed himself at great risk by maneuvering to recover one light armoured vehicle and only ceased his relentless attempts to extract a second one when informed that the vehicle’s crew had withdrawn to safety. His focus on the mission and his courage in the face of danger have brought great credit to the Canadian Forces and to Canada.


Captain Michael John Reekie, M.M.V. Shilo, Manitoba; and Abbotsford, British Columbia Medal of Military Valour

On August 19, 2006, while deployed with Alpha Company, 1st Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, in Masum Ghar in Afghanistan, Captain Reekie carried out valiant actions during an intense firefight with Taliban insurgents. Displaying superb judgement, he assessed the changing tactical situation and repositioned his vehicle to maximum advantage, enabling the successful interception and defeat of a numerically superior enemy force during the ensuing three-hour firefight. His outstanding initiative prevented the enemy from outflanking the position. Captain Reekie’s selfless courage and exceptional leadership undoubtedly saved the lives of numerous Alpha Company soldiers.


Corporal Joseph Jason Lee Ruffolo, M.M.V. Petawawa, Ontario; and Montreal, Quebec Medal of Military Valour

Corporal Ruffolo was deployed with Charles Company of the 1st Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group in Afghanistan. On September 3, 2006, while engaged in combat operations in the opening phase of Operation MEDUSA, a bulldozer vainly attempted to extract his light armoured vehicle and came under heavy enemy fire. Without regard for his own safety, Corporal Ruffolo placed himself in a very vulnerable position to unhook his vehicle. In a subsequent attack, he again exposed himself to enemy fire to render first aid to a casualty. His courage and professionalism under extreme duress brought great credit to the Armed Forces and to Canada.

Working on finging citaions for the S.M.Vs

Edit: Note the number of actions which occoured on Sept 3.

 

[devil39]

Congratulations Rev !

 

[niner domestic]

Congratulations to one and all.  BZ! Young Pte O'Rourke was at the Red Friday Rally last week, it was an honour to be able to applaud him and his bravery.  

 

[JBoyd]

While watching the news about 2 weeks ago I was surprised when i saw a Friend of mine, whom i had gone to High School with and Air Cadets with, was being decorated with Medal of Military Valour. I was even more surprised as 2 days earlier I had sent my application in to CFRC Vancouver

I am not sure where this post would belong so I apologize to the DS

Governor General announces nine Military Valour Decorations, four Meritorious Service Decorations and seven Mentions in Dispatches
April 24, 2007

OTTAWA—Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, announced nine Military Valour Decorations to members of the Canadian Forces who have displayed gallantry and devotion to duty in combat. She also announced four Meritorious Services Decorations (Military Division) and seven Mention in Dispatches to individuals whose specific achievements have brought honour to the Canadian Forces and to Canada.

The recipients will be invited to receive their decoration or insignia at presentation ceremonies at a later date.

RECIPIENTS:
Please note that the rank used in this document reflects the substantive rank held by the recipient at the time of the incident:


MEDAL OF MILITARY VALOUR

Name
Current posting

Corporal Chad Gerald Chevrefils, M.M.V.
Shilo, Man.

Corporal Jason Funnell, M.M.V.
Petawawa, Ont.

Master-Corporal Sean Hubert Niefer, M.M.V.
Petawawa, Ont.

Private Michael Patrick O’Rourke, M.M.V.
Petawawa, Ont.

Corporal Clinton John Orr, M.M.V.
Petawawa, Ont.

Captain Michael John Reekie, M.M.V.
Shilo, Man.

Corporal Joseph Jason Lee Ruffolo, M.M.V.
Petawawa, Ont.

My Friend being...

Captain Michael John Reekie, M.M.V.
Shilo, Manitoba; and Abbotsford, British Columbia
Medal of Military Valour

On August 19, 2006, while deployed with Alpha Company, 1st  Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, in Masum Ghar in Afghanistan, Captain Reekie carried out valiant actions during an intense firefight with Taliban insurgents. Displaying superb judgement, he assessed the changing tactical situation and repositioned his vehicle to maximum advantage, enabling the successful interception and defeat of a numerically superior enemy force during the ensuing three-hour firefight. His outstanding initiative prevented the enemy from outflanking the position. Captain Reekie’s selfless courage and exceptional leadership undoubtedly saved the lives of numerous Alpha Company soldiers.

I also found this little blog post that included him in it and refers to the above incident in which he was decorated for, and found it a good read.

04:29 am, Doug Beazley / General, 389 words  
Call me "snake"
Let's talk about nicknames for a moment.

Put a bunch of guys in their early 20s to mid 40s together in a stressful environment far from home, and two things will happen. First, they're going to talk about women and sex. A lot. Even when there are women in the room.

Second, they're going to come up with nicknames for each other. It's inevitable. "Infantry guys are like the locker room of a high school hockey team," says Cpl. Jeff Burtch of 2 PPCLI. "Same psychology."

There are a few guidelines for nicknames in the military. One easy way to pick up a tag is to do something stupid that people remember. Linda Sylvester, the motormouth Cape Bretoner who cuts hair back at KAF, is known as 'Trip' because she keeps catching her foot on the raised doorway of her tiny five-by-ten shop.

You can get a nickname from a proven skill. Capt. Mike Reekie of 2 PPCLI is known as the "Grim Reaper" around FOB Ma'sum Ghar, a tag he picked up during the bloody days of Operation Medusa.

"His carrier and mine, we did a lot of killing between us," said Burtch. "We brought a lot of death to the Taliban."

Cpl. Phil Kusche of 2 PPCLI somehow got the tag "Sploosh" – a word that originated in the video porn industry, apparently, although I have no idea what it means.

Seriously. Every time I ask, the guys start laughing so hard they can't talk.

One bedrock rule of nicknames is that you can't choose one for yourself; it has to be chosen for you. There are exceptions.

"Lt. (Tony) Robb of the Engineers, you met him," says Burtch. "He came up with two handles – 'Warhammer' and 'Maverick.'

"Normally no one would use them, but you have to know the guy. He's a bit of a geek, very smart, great guy, knows everything there is to know about '80s music and the WWF. So we use the nicknames kinda sarcastically, you know? Like, 'Hey, Warhammer!"

The other thing about nicknames? You can never, ever shake them. You meet someone you served with a decade ago and half a world away – say, in an elevator in an office tower – and he won't greet you with your proper name.

No. He'll shout out, "Hey, SPLOOSH!" And then you'll have some explaining to do.

If anyone is currently posted in Shilo, and he is still there, let him know Jason Boyd says Hi, However it has been 8 years since we last saw each other.