Mishall RehmanEvery so often, a crop of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members go above and beyond the call of duty, attracting the attention of others and earning various honours and departmental awards.
On behalf of the King, Her Excellency the Governor General approved the following national honours noted CANFORGEN 144/24, announcing the recent award recipients.
The CANFORGEN also amended a CANFORGEN released earlier in the year. According to the correction, MWO M.C. Gratix was recognized for “extraordinary efforts” in his role in designing and implementing a training program for Ukrainian Sappers. At the time, MWO Gratix was deployed to Poland as Task Force Sergeant-Major and Liaison to the Military Engineering Training Coordination Centre.
Meritorious Service Medal
Administered by the Department of National Defence, the Meritorious Service Medal recognizes a military deed or activity that brings honour to the military because of the manner or the standard it was conducted.
Amongst the recipients is Sgt. M.M.M Dallaire for her “exemplary dedication and outstanding professionalism” during her time as the Canadian Defence Attache Assistant in Poland from 2020 to 2023.
Other recipients are Maj. T.J. Kennedy.
Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation
This Chief of the Defence Staff-approved award includes several deserving individuals. Among them is Maj. A.C. Trousdale, who received the award for providing first aid to a teammate who had slid 600 feet down an ice-packed portion of a mountain on April 19, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska.
Another recipient is Capt. E. Aoun, who received the award for “decisive actions and professionalism” while providing first aid to people in medical distress in two separate incidents. The incidents occurred in Ottawa on June 14 and July 4, 2022.
During deployment as Coxswain aboard His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Vancouver during Operation Projection/Neon Indo-Pacific, CPO 1 J.B. Sorensen’s leadership garnered notice for the Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation.
Sgt. W.R. MacDougal received a CDS Commendation for taking immediate action on the scene of a fall and assisting paramedics until the critically injured person was transported to the hospital. The incident took place in Ottawa on Oct. 24, 2023.
Sgt. R.T. O’Flynn was recognized for this award for professionalism and dedication demonstrated as engineer section commander while deployed on Operation UNIFIER at the United Kingdom Training Element from Aug. 2022 to March 2023.
Another recipient of the CDS Commendation this year is MCpl. J.R. Cannon for dedication and professionalism showcased while deployed as a close protection operator with Operation Union under difficult conditions in Ukraine from March to Sept 2023.
Another military member to provide medical assistance and earn the CDS Commendation is MCpl. M.E.M. Jung. MCpl. Jung administered necessary first aid to a police officer who was thrown from a motorcycle and had received serious injuries.
For dedication and using Combat Engineer Skills while deployed as a Canadian Liaison to Al Asad Air Base and the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Centre, MCpl. J.R. Passer is a recipient of the CDS Commendation.
MCpl. K.J. Roux is another recipient of the CDS Commendation this year. MCpl. Roux provided training and was directly responsible for “increasing students survivability” during deployment as an instructor with Operation Unifier’s United Kingdom Training Element from June to Dec. 2023.
MCpl. J.V. Windeyer received the award for swift and decisive actions taken at the seven of a motorcycle accident and providing first aid to casualties.
Cpl. J.L.S. Horowitz was awarded the CDS Commendation for undertaking decisive actions and assisting paramedics with a critically injured casualty until they were transported to the hospital in Ottawa, ON, on Oct. 24, 2023.
Cpl. M.P. O’Blenis received the CDS Commendation for decisive actions and composure after witnessing a vehicle accident and then providing necessary first aid in Norfolk, Virginia on Oct. 29, 2022.
Pte. A. Durocher received the CDS Commendation this year for saving the life of an unconscious colleague who was in critical condition. The incident took place in Valcartier, QC on April 9, 2022.
Four members of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, one member of the Canadian Joint Operations Command, and one member of the Canadian Forces Intelligence Command were awarded the CDS Commendation. Due to operational security, further details about their award cannot be released.
The remaining recipients of the Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation are as follows:
- LCol. C.R. Adams
- Cdr. C.P. Heckman
- LCol. S.M. House
- LCol. M.D.C. Johns
- Maj. M.R. Connors
- Lt(N). A.J. Ness
- Cpl. B.C. Emery
- Pte. Z. Eddy-Deitner
- S3 J. Smith
- Dr. P. Bates
- Mr. S.B. Eaton
- Ms. C.R. Lavigne
- Ms. K. Powroz
- MCpl. M. Doucet
- Cpl. L.J.H. Hooper
Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service
The Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service recognizes non-active military personnel who have undertaken distinguished or outstanding service.
Recent recipients of this award are as follows:
- WO (ret’d) G. K. MacDonald
- Ms. S.L. Clattenburg
- Ms. S.M. Lee.
“On behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff, I extend my sincerest congratulations to all recipients. The leadership, professionalism and dedication you have displayed reflect well on our Defence Team,” stated the CANFORGEN.
Read the full CANFORGEN below.
CANFORGEN 144/24 CMP 064/24 021518Z OCT 24
HONOURS AND DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENT
UNCLASSIFIED
REF: CANFORGEN 019/24, PARA 1(A)(2) [/canforgens-detail/019-24_e]
REF IS CORRECTED AS FOL:
MWO M.C. GRATRIX – FOR EXTRAORDINARY EFFORTS IN DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING A HIGHLY EFFECTIVE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR UKRAINIAN SAPPERS WHILE DEPLOYED TO POLAND AS THE TASK FORCE SERGEANT-MAJOR AND LIAISON TO THE MILITARY ENGINEERING TRAINING COORDINATION CENTRE, OCTOBER 2022 TO APRIL 2023
ON BEHALF OF THE KING, HER EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR GENERAL HAS APPROVED NATIONAL HONOURS FOR THE FOLLOWING DESERVING INDIVIDUALS:
MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL
(1) MAJ T.J. KENNEDY – FOR EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP, INNOVATION AND PROFESSIONALISM AT HEADQUARTERS ALLIED RAPID REACTION CORPS, UNITED KINGDOM AS OFFICER OF PRIMARY INTEREST FOR THE MULTI-NATIONAL FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE PROJECT, JULY 2019 TO JULY 2023
(2) SGT M.M.M. DALLAIRE – FOR HER EXEMPLARY DEDICATION AND OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONALISM AS CANADIAN DEFENCE ATTACHE ASSISTANT, POLAND, FROM 2020 TO 2023
THE CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE STAFF HAS APPROVED DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS FOR THE FOLLOWING DESERVING INDIVIDUALS:
CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE STAFF COMMENDATION
(1) LCOL C.R. ADAMS – FOR REMARKABLE LEADERSHIP AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS WHILE DEPLOYED AS THE CHIEF INSTRUCTOR, FORCE TRAINING TEAM FOR THE MULTINATIONAL FORCE AND OBSERVERS MISSION IN THE SINAI, JULY 2022 TO JULY 2023
(2) CDR C.P. HECKMAN – FOR REVOLUTIONIZING WORKFLOW PROCESSES AND GREATLY IMPROVING APPROACHES TO INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AS THE SENIOR STAFF OFFICER WITHIN THE CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE STAFF OFFICE, SEPTEMBER 2023 TO APRIL 2024
(3) LCOL S.M. HOUSE – FOR REMARKABLE LEADERSHIP, DEDICATION AND METICULOUS COORDINATION OF THE 2021 NATO SENIOR JOINT ENGINEER CONFERENCE IN QUEBEC CITY, OCTOBER 2021
(4) LCOL M.D.C. JOHNS – FOR PROFESSIONALISM, COMMITMENT AND PROFICIENCY WHILE DEPLOYED TO LATVIA AS COURSE DIRECTOR FOR THE INITIAL ROTATION OF OPERATION UNIFIER LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TRAINING ELEMENT, 27 MARCH TO 15 OCTOBER 2023
(5) MAJ M.R. CONNORS (UNITED STATES ARMY) – FOR REMARKABLE PROFESSIONALISM AND WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE WHILE EMPLOYED AS AN EXCHANGE OFFICER WITH THE 1ST CANADIAN DIVISION HEADQUARTERS IN KINGSTON, ONTARIO, SEPTEMBER 2022 TO JUNE 2024
(6) MAJ A.C. TROUSDALE – FOR CROSSING OFF-TRAIL AND BRINGING TO SAFETY AN INJURED TEAMMATE WHO HAD SLID 600 FEET DOWN AN ICE PACKED PORTION OF FLATTOP MOUNTAIN AND PROVIDING FIRST AID, ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, 19 APRIL 2022
(7) CAPT E. AOUN – FOR DECISIVE ACTIONS AND PROFESSIONALISM WHEN PROVIDING FIRST AID TO CASUALTIES IN MEDICAL DISTRESS DURING TWO SEPARATE EVENTS, OTTAWA, ONTARIO, 14 JUNE AND 4 JULY 2022
(8) LT(N) A.J. NESS – FOR UNWAVERING PROFESSIONALISM, EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE AS SQUADRON COMMANDER OF O KELLY AND OTTER SQUADRONS FALL 2021, AND THE O KELLY AND INDIGENOUS LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY YEAR SQUADRONS FALL 2022 TO SUMMER 2023 AT THE ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE OF CANADA, KINGSTON, ONTARIO
(9) CPO 1 J.B. SORENSEN – FOR ENDLESS ENERGY, FOCUS AND LEADERSHIP INSPIRING THE TEAM WHILE DEPLOYED AS COXSWAIN ABOARD HMCS VANCOUVER DURING OPERATION PROJECTION/NEON INDO-PACIFIC, JUNE TO DECEMBER 2022
(10) SGT W.R. MACDOUGALL – FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION ON THE SCENE OF A FALL AND PROFESSIONALISM IN ASSISTING PARAMEDICS UNTIL THE CRITICALLY INJURED CASUALTY WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL, OTTAWA, ONTARIO, 24 OCTOBER 2023
(11) SGT R.T. O FLYNN – FOR OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONALISM AND UNWAVERING DEDICATION AS ENGINEER SECTION COMMANDER WHILE DEPLOYED ON OPERATION UNIFIER AT THE UNITED KINGDOM TRAINING ELEMENT, AUGUST 2022 TO MARCH 2023
(12) MCPL J.R. CANNON – FOR DEDICATION, PROFESSIONALISM AND OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE WHILE DEPLOYED AS A CLOSE PROTECTION OPERATOR WITH OPERATION UNION UNDER CHALLENGING CONDITIONS IN UKRAINE, MARCH TO SEPTEMBER 2023
(13) MCPL M. DOUCET – FOR HIS HIGH DEGREE OF INITIATIVE AND SOLID JOB KNOWLEDGE AT CANADIAN SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES COMMAND
(14) MCPL M.E.M. JUNG – FOR PROTECTING AND ADMINISTERING THE REQUIRED FIRST AID TO A POLICE OFFICER WHO HAD BEEN THROWN FROM A MOTORCYCLE AND HAD SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES
(15) MCPL J.R. PASSER – FOR DEDICATION AND LENDING HIS COMBAT ENGINEER SKILLS WHILE DEPLOYED AS A CANADIAN LIAISON TO AL ASAD AIR BASE AND THE BAGHDAD DIPLOMATIC SUPPORT CENTER, IRAQ, MAY TO OCTOBER 2023
(16) MCPL K.J. ROUX – FOR PROVIDING REALISTIC TRAINING AND DIRECTLY INCREASING STUDENTS SURVIVABILITY WHILE DEPLOYED AS AN INSTRUCTOR WITH OPERATION UNIFIER S UNITED KINGDOM TRAINING ELEMENT, JUNE TO DECEMBER 2023
(17) MCPL J.V. WINDEYER – FOR SWIFT AND DECISIVE ACTIONS UPON ARRIVING AT THE SCENE OF A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT AND PROVIDING FIRST AID TO THE CASUALTIES
(18) CPL B.C. EMERY – FOR DEDICATION AND INGENUITY, BY INITIATING A COMPREHENSIVE INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS
(19) CPL L.J.H. HOOPER – FOR PROFESSIONALISM AND SOUND JUDGEMENT, WHEN EXPERTLY NAVIGATING A RAPIDLY ESCALATING SECURITY ENVIRONMENT IN AN AREA OF OPERATIONS, AS PART OF CANADIAN SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES COMMAND
(20) CPL J.L.S. HOROWITZ – FOR DECISIVE ACTIONS AND PROFESSIONALISM IN ASSISTING PARAMEDICS UNTIL THE CRITICALLY INJURED CASUALTY WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL, OTTAWA, ONTARIO, 24 OCTOBER 2023
(21) CPL M.P. O BLENIS – FOR OUTSTANDING SKILL, DECISIVE ACTION AND COMPOSURE UPON WITNESSING A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT AND PROVIDING FIRST AID TO THE CASUALTY, NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 29 OCTOBER 2022
(22) PTE A. DUROCHER – FOR HER DETERMINATION AND INITIATIVE, WHICH SAVED THE LIFE OF AN UNCONSCIOUS COLLEAGUE WHO WAS IN CRITICAL CONDITION, VALCARTIER, QUEBEC, 9 APRIL 2022
(23) PTE Z. EDDY-DEITNER – FOR CONSISTENTLY DELIVERING SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION IN A CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE MANNER WHILE DEPLOYED AS AN INSTRUCTOR WITH JOINT TASK FORCE UKRAINE S UNITED KINGDOM TRAINING ELEMENT ON OPERATION UNIFIER, JULY TO DECEMBER 2023
(24) S3 J. SMITH – FOR CIVICISM AND QUICK INTERVENTION DURING A ROBBERY OF A JEWELLERY STORE, HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, 26 SEPTEMBER 2022
(25) DR. P. BATES – FOR STEADFAST GUIDANCE TO THE FACULTY THROUGHOUT THE POST-PANDEMIC RE-OPENING AND TUMULTUOUS LABOUR NEGOTIATIONS, REINVIGORATING IN-PERSON TRAINING, RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AS THE INTERIM PRINCIPAL OF THE ROYAL MILITARY COLLEGE OF CANADA IN KINGSTON, ONTARIO, 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR
(26) MR. S.B. EATON – FOR PROFESSIONALISM IN PROVIDING STRATEGIC WARNING OF RUSSIAN MILITARY ACTIVITY ON THE BORDER WITH UKRAINE AS THE PRINCIPAL INTELLIGENCE ANALYST FOR UKRAINE WITHIN CANADIAN FORCES INTELLIGENCE COMMAND, OTTAWA, ONTARIO, FALL OF 2021 TO 24 FEBRUARY 2022
(27) MS. C.R. LAVIGNE – FOR OUTSTANDING DEDICATION, PROFESSIONALISM AND REMARKABLE SUPPORT TO THE VARIOUS HONOURS COMMITTEES AS ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND AWARDS MANAGER SINCE NOVEMBER 2020
(28) MS. K. POWROZ – FOR SIGNIFICANT INNOVATIONS, TIRELESS DEDICATION AS MANAGER OF STRATEGIC OUTLOOK AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT OF THE CANADIAN FORCES HOUSING AGENCY OTTAWA, ONTARIO, 2020 TO 2023
(29) FOUR MEMBERS FROM THE CANADIAN SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES COMMAND, ONE MEMBER FROM THE CANADIAN JOINT OPERATIONS COMMAND AND ONE MEMBER FROM THE CANADIAN FORCES INTELLIGENCE COMMAND WERE AWARDED THE CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE STAFF COMMENDATION. FOR SECURITY AND OPERATIONAL REASONS, THE NAMES AND CITATIONS OF THE RECIPIENTS ARE NOT RELEASED
CANADIAN FORCES MEDALLION FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE
(1) WO G.K. MACDONALD (RETIRED) – FOR PROFESSIONALISM THROUGH THE EFFICIENT FORCE GENERATION AND MOUNTING OF OVER 43 ROTATIONS OF UNIT PERSONNEL AS JOINT TASK FORCES X OPERATIONS COORDINATOR, SUPPORTING THE CANADIAN ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY OPERATIONS IN KINGSTON, ONTARIO, JUNE 2018 TO OCTOBER 2023
(2) MS. S.L. CLATTENBURG – FOR NATURAL LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONALISM WHILE EMPLOYED AS SERVICE COORDINATOR AND THEN AS ACTING SERVICE MANAGER AT TRANSITION CENTRE HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, NOVEMBER 2013 TO JUNE 2023
(3) MS. S.M. LEE – FOR REMARKABLE DEDICATION, CORPORATE KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND PROFESSIONALISM OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES AS THE CANADIAN ARMY LAND WARFARE CENTRE S ADMINISTRATOR, KINGSTON, ONTARIO, AUGUST 2006 TO NOVEMBER 2023
THE INFORMATION ABOVE REFLECTS THE SUBSTANTIVE RANK HELD BY THE MEMBERS AT THE DATE OF THE INCIDENT. MPRRS WILL BE UPDATED BY DH R UPON RELEASE OF THIS CANFORGEN
ON BEHALF OF THE CHIEF OF THE DEFENCE STAFF, I EXTEND MY SINCEREST CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL RECIPIENTS. THE LEADERSHIP, PROFESSIONALISM AND DEDICATION YOU HAVE DISPLAYED REFLECT WELL ON OUR DEFENCE TEAM
