Information about Medal Of Military Valour

Medal of Military Valour
Awarded by Canada
Type	Medal
Awarded for	An act of valour or devotion in the presence of the enemy.
Status	Currently awarded
Precedence
Next (higher)	Star of Military Valour

The Medal of Military Valour (MMV) is awarded to members of the Canadian Forces for "an act of valour or devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy".

The MMV is part of the Military Valour Decorations offered in Canada.

History

As part of the Canadian honours system, a family of three Military Valour Decorations, comprising the Victoria Cross (VC), the Star of Military Valour (SMV) and the Medal of Military Valour (MMV) has been designated and styled. These medals are being incorporated into the Canadian honours and awards system to enable Canada to recognize members of the Canadian Forces, or members of an allied armed force serving with or in conjunction with the CF, for deeds of military valour.

As part of the British Empire and later Commonwealth, Canada relied on the British honours system to recognize service members for gallantry in battle. Since the Second World War, Canada developed its own honour system, and expanded it considerably in the late 1960's and early 1970's. For example, in 1972 Canada developed its own decoration for bravery in peacetime. However, a set of Canadian honours recognizing gallantry by military personnel in the presence of an enemy was not established.

Eligibility

For all three Military Valour Decoration, 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. Military Valour Decorations can be awarded posthumously.

A person must be recommended by the Military Valour Decoration Advisory Committee. This committee is made up of one person appointed by the Governor General, and five CF members appointed by the Chief of Defence Staff. Field commanders can also grant Military Valour Decorations, but they must first have the Governor General's approval.

Recipients

The decoration was first awarded to three soldiers on 27 October 2006 for recognition of their actions during combat in Afghanistan. The official citations for each of the soldiers read as follows:

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.

Corporal John David Makela, M.M.V. Ottawa, Ontario Medal of Military Valour

On October 16, 2006, Corporal Makela prevented a fatal attack on his combat logistics patrol by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. As the turret gunner providing overwatch for the convoy, he accurately identified the approaching suspicious vehicle as a suicide bomber car. Despite the likely potential of an explosion, he maintained his exposed position and applied fire, resulting in the premature detonation of the bomber car. The explosion engulfed Corporal Makela’s vehicle and seriously burned him. His valiant and courageous actions inevitably prevented the bomber from reaching his intended target and saved the lives of the other soldiers in the convoy.

Captain Derek Prohar, M.M.V. Edmonton and St. Albert, Alberta; Avonlea, Saskatchewan Medal of Military Valour

Assigned as liaison officer with the United States Special Forces in Afghanistan during the battle at Sperwan Ghar, from September 5 to 12, 2006, Captain Prohar operated as the rear machine gunner on the battalion commander’s vehicle. He was wounded by an improvised explosive device during an intense enemy ambush. Despite his injuries, he continued returning fire and assisted the commander with the control of the attack, which resulted in the successful seizing of key terrain. Captain Prohar’s courage and actions earned him the respect of the allied soldiers of the United States Special Forces.

Major Michael Charles Wright, M.M.V., C.D. Shilo, Manitoba; Oakville, Ontario Medal of Military Valour

On the night of August 19, 2006, Major Wright of Alpha Company, Task Force Afghanistan, demonstrated outstanding courage and exceptional leadership in combat. Directed to move to the Panjwayi District Centre to enhance security, his troops were rapidly engaged and encircled by a significantly larger enemy force. Under intense fire from small arms and rocket-propelled grenades coming from all directions, he refused reinforcements for safety reasons and led his embattled force to outmanoeuvre the enemy, inflicting serious enemy casualties. His courage and his leadership led to the defeat of a much larger enemy force without a single Canadian Forces casualty.

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.

Two Medals of Military Valour were awarded to members of the Canadian Special Operations Force Command, CANSOFCOM on June 28, 2007. Their names have not been released.

See also

• Victoria Cross (Canada)
• Star of Military Valour
• Cross of Valour

External links

• Office of the Governor General: Military Valour Decorations
• Veterans Affairs Canada: Medal of Military Valour
• Governor General announces the first-ever awarding of Military Valour Decorations, October 27, 2006
• Governor General announces nine Military Valour Decorations, four Meritorious Service Decorations and seven Mentions in Dispatches

•  • [ e] Orders, Decorations, and Medals of Canada ''in order of precedence
Awards of Valour	Victoria Cross • Cross of Valour
National Orders	Order of Canada • Order of Military Merit • Order of Merit of the Police Forces • Royal Victorian Order • Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem
Provincial Orders	Quebec • Saskatchewan • Ontario • British Columbia • Alberta • Prince Edward Island • Manitoba • New Brunswick • Nova Scotia • Newfoundland and Labrador
Other Decorations and Medals	Decorations • War and Operational Service Medals • Special Service Medals • United Nations Medals • NATO Medals • International Mission Medals Commemorative Medals • Long service and Good Conduct Medals • Exemplary Service Medals • Special Medals • Other Decorations and Medals Commonwealth Orders, Decorations and Medals • Foreign Orders, Decorations and Medals