[Alex Blair (RIP)]

As I read this article ,the story of Sergeant Michael Thomas Victor Denine, M.M.V., C.D.,reminded me of the similiarity of the act of bravery of Audie Murphy,during WW2 for which he was awarded the Medal Of Honor......
Theis is a tremendous story and makes me glad I am wearing red this Friday...

Governor General announces the first-ever awarding of Military Valour Decorations
OTTAWA, Oct. 27 /CNW Telbec/ - Her Excellency the Right Honourable
Michaelle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, announced
today the awarding of the first four Military Valour Decorations to members of
the Canadian Forces who have displayed gallantry and devotion to duty in
combat.
The recipients will be invited to receive their decoration from the
Governor General at a presentation ceremony to be held at a later date.
Military Valour Decorations are national honours awarded to recognize
acts of valour, self-sacrifice or devotion to duty in the presence of the
enemy. They consist of the Victoria Cross, the Star of Military Valour and the
Medal of Military Valour. This marks the first time that these decorations,
which were created in 1993, have been awarded.

Note that the rank used in this document reflects the substantive rank
held by the member at the time of the incident.

<<
Star of Military Valour
-----------------------

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Name Current posting and hometown
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Sergeant Patrick Tower, S.M.V, C.D. Edmonton, Alta., and Victoria, B.C.
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Medal of Military Valour
------------------------

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Name Current posting and hometown
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Sergeant Michael Thomas Victor Edmonton, Alta.
Denine, M.M.V., C.D.
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Master Corporal Collin Ryan Shilo, Man., and Morrisburg, Ont.
Fitzgerald, M.M.V.
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Private Jason Lamont, M.M.V. Edmonton, Alta., and Greenwood, N.S.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

The citations for the recipients (Annex A), as well as additional
information on the Military Valour Decorations (Annex B) are attached.


Annex A
-------

Sergeant Patrick Tower, S.M.V., C.D.
Edmonton, Alberta, and Victoria, British Columbia
Star of Military Valour

Sergeant Tower is recognized for valiant actions taken on August 3, 2006,
in the Pashmul region of Afghanistan. Following an enemy strike against an
outlying friendly position that resulted in numerous casualties, Sergeant
Tower assembled the platoon medic and a third soldier and led them across 150
metres of open terrain, under heavy enemy fire, to render assistance. On
learning that the acting platoon commander had perished, Sergeant Tower
assumed command and led the successful extraction of the force under
continuous small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Sergeant Tower's
courage and selfless devotion to duty contributed directly to the survival of
the remaining platoon members.


Sergeant Michael Thomas Victor Denine, M.M.V., C.D.
Edmonton, Alberta
Medal of Military Valour

Sergeant Denine deployed with 8 Platoon, C Company, 1 PPCLI during
Operation ARCHER in Afghanistan. On May 17, 2006, while sustaining
concentrated rocket-propelled grenade, machine gun and small arms fire, the
main cannon and the machine gun on his light armoured vehicle malfunctioned.
Under intense enemy fire, he recognized the immediate need to suppress the
enemy fire and exited the air sentry hatch to man the pintle-mounted machine
gun. Completely exposed to enemy fire, he laid down a high volume of
suppressive fire, forcing the enemy to withdraw. Sergeant Denine's valiant
action ensured mission success and likely saved the lives of his crew.


Master Corporal Collin Ryan Fitzgerald, M.M.V.
Shilo, Manitoba, and Morrisburg, Ontario
Medal of Military Valour

Master Corporal Fitzgerald deployed with 5 Platoon, B Company, 1 PPCLI
Battle Group in Afghanistan. He is recognized for outstanding selfless and
valiant actions carried out on May 24, 2006, during an ongoing enemy ambush
involving intense, accurate enemy fire. Master Corporal Fitzgerald repeatedly
exposed himself to enemy fire by entering and re-entering a burning platoon
vehicle and successfully driving it off the roadway, permitting the remaining
vehicles trapped in the enemy zone to break free. Master Corporal Fitzgerald's
courageous and completely selfless actions were instrumental to his platoon's
successful egress and undoubtedly contributed to saving the lives of his
fellow platoon members.


Private Jason Lamont, M.M.V.
Edmonton, Alberta, and Greenwood, Nova Scotia
Medal of Military Valour

Private Lamont deployed with the Health Support Services Company, 1 PPCLI
Battle Group during Operation ARCHER. On July 13, 2006, an element of the
reconnaissance platoon came under heavy enemy fire from a compound located in
Helmand Province, Afghanistan, and was isolated from the rest of the platoon.
During the firefight, another soldier was shot while attempting to withdraw
back to the firing line and was unable to continue. Without regard for his
personal safety, Private Lamont, under concentrated enemy fire and with no
organized suppression by friendly forces, sprinted through open terrain to
administer first aid. Private Lamont's actions demonstrated tremendous
courage, selflessness and devotion to duty.
>>

Annex B
-------

The 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 January 1, 1993. 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 and 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.

Anyone can propose a nomination for the Military Valour Decorations. If a
member of our Canadian Forces meets the criteria, submission will be made
through the member's chain of command for consideration by the Military Valour
Decorations Advisory Committee, and the Governor General. For all three
Military Valour Decorations, recipients must be a member of the Canadian
Forces or a member of an allied armed force that is serving with, or in
conjunction with, the Canadian Forces, on or after January 1, 1993.
Shortly after the beginning of Canadian involvement in Afghanistan, it
was established that the basic conditions for the awarding of the Decorations
were met. The gallant actions of Canadian Forces members in the face of
increased hostilities in recent months have provided the occasion to award
them.



For further information: Media information: Lucie Brosseau, Rideau Hall
Press Office, (613) 998-0287; Media Liaison Office: Department of National,
Defence, (613) 996-2353 or (613) 996-2354; Public information: Chancellery of
Honours, 1-800-465-6890