Replies

I wonder what these men would think of the order to not wear their uniform in public?

List of some brave Canadian soldier heroes that served in the Afghanistan War and earned medals of valor:

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 4 June 2010, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, awarded six Military Valour decorations – one Star and five Medals – to members of the Canadian Forces who have displayed gallantry and devotion to duty in combat. These valour decorations, along with 44 Meritorious Service Decorations, were awarded at a ceremony held at Rideau Hall, and readers should note that the ranks used herein reflect the substantive ranks held by the recipients at the time of the respective combat incidents.

Star of Military Valour

Master Corporal Jeremy Pinchin

Medal of Military Valour

Corporal Richard L. Anderson
Sergeant Russell J.R. Gregoire
Corporal Mark Robert McLaren (Deceased)
Master Corporal David Richard Tedford
Master Corporal Michael Trauner

Master Corporal Jeremy Pinchin, SMV
Pembroke, Ontario
Star of Military Valour

On November 16, 2008, Master Corporal Pinchin’s small sniper detachment was on an isolated rooftop in Zhari District, Afghanistan, protecting the southern flank of a joint Canadian-Afghan patrol. As they were advancing on an enemy position, they were attacked and outnumbered by a well-coordinated group of insurgents. When a fellow soldier sustained a life-threatening wound, Master Corporal Pinchin immediately administered first aid and shielded him, thus exposing himself to great risk. Fortunately, his protective armour bore the brunt of several enemy strikes as he aided his comrade. Master Corporal Pinchin’s selfless act of heroism saved the life of a fellow soldier.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean and Master Corporal Jeremy Pinchin

GG2010-0291-001 by Corporal Dany Veillette, Rideau Hall.

Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean presents the Star of Military Valour to Master Corporal Jeremy Pinchin.

Corporal Richard L. Anderson, MMV
Petawawa, Ontario, and Bathurst, New Brunswick
Medal of Military Valour

On January 31, 2009, Corporal Anderson came under small arms fire with his joint Canadian-Afghan patrol in Zhari District, Afghanistan. During the initial stages of the ambush, an Afghan soldier was severely wounded and lay exposed to the relentless attack. As the battle raged around him, Corporal Anderson exposed himself to enemy fire while he and the patrol medic attempted to move the soldier to safety. With no cover, he immediately began to provide first aid despite enemy rounds impacting inches from his position. Corporal Anderson’s selfless disregard for his personal safety saved the wounded soldier’s life.

Sergeant Russell J.R. Gregoire, MMV, CD
Shilo, Manitoba; Fort Frances and Timmins, Ontario
Medal of Military Valour

On June 14, 2008, Sergeant Gregoire’s section was ambushed in Zhari District, Afghanistan. What was initially considered light contact quickly became a concentrated amount of small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire, splitting the section in two. With the lead element taking serious casualties and in danger of being overrun, Sergeant Gregoire formulated an extraction plan. In spite of the risks, he led the remainder of the section into heavier fire to provide cover for the beleaguered soldiers’ evacuation. Sergeant Gregoire’s selfless devotion and courage inspired his platoon throughout the three-hour engagement.

Corporal Mark Robert McLaren, MMV (deceased)
Omemee, Ontario
Medal of Military Valour

On November 6, 2008, Corporal McLaren’s joint Canadian-Afghan patrol was ambushed in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. The attack seriously injured his team’s Afghan interpreter, paralyzing him and leaving him exposed to further enemy fire. Heedless to the incoming fire, Corporal McLaren crawled 10 metres to his colleague’s position, extracted him to a safe location, and administered first aid. Corporal McLaren’s courage and selfless devotion to his team prevented the interpreter’s immediate loss and allowed for his safe evacuation.

Master Corporal David Richard Tedford, MMV, CD
Pembroke and Omemee, Ontario
Medal of Military Valour

On October 8, 2008, Master Corporal Tedford’s patrol was ambushed in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. While providing cover for exposed troops, his vehicle’s main cannon jammed. As his gunner attempted to fix the weapon, he rose out of the turret to return fire with the machine gun mounted atop the vehicle. Realizing the cannon could not be repaired from inside, he exited the vehicle amidst a hail of bullets, cleared the jam, and began pouring heavy fire upon the enemy. With fearless determination, Master Corporal Tedford’s selfless action in suppressing the enemy throughout the firefight ensured his patrol’s successful fighting withdrawal.

Master Corporal Michael Trauner, MMV
Petawawa and Sudbury, Ontario
Medal of Military Valour

On September 18, 2008, Master Corporal Trauner was providing security for military engineers in Western Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, when his vehicle’s main armament was destroyed by a rocket-propelled grenade strike. With his dismounted colleagues pinned down by the ambush, he immediately emerged from the turret to engage the attackers with the machine gun mounted atop the vehicle. By placing himself in a highly exposed and vulnerable position, he was able to suppress insurgent fire and protect his fellow soldiers. Master Corporal Trauner’s selfless and tenacious actions undoubtedly saved many Canadian and Afghan lives.

On 11 June 2010, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, announced the names of six individuals mentioned in dispatches for specific achievements that have brought honour to the Canadian Forces and to Canada. Presentation ceremonies will take place at a later date to be announced by the Department of National Defence.

Mentions in Dispatches

Captain Shawn Christopher Dumbreck ~ Petawawa, Ontario

Master Warrant Officer Rene F. Kiens, CD ~ Edmonton, Alberta

Corporal David A. MacDonald ~ Edmonton, Alberta

Corporal Sébastien Picard ~ Petawawa, Ontario

Private Ben L. Rasmussen ~ Edmonton, Alberta

Private Kiernan R. Underwood ~ Edmonton, Alberta

http://www.journal.forces.gc.ca/vol10/no4/02-valor-vaillance-eng.asp