Star of Military Valour

Infobox Military Award
name = Star of Military Valour


caption =
awarded_by = the
type = Medal
eligibility = Military of Canada
for = Distinguished and valiant service in the presence of the enemy
status = Currently awarded
description =
clasps =
established = February 2, 1993
first_award = 27 October, 2006
last_award =
total = 2
posthumous =
recipients =
individual =
higher = Order of Newfoundland and Labrador
same =
lower = Star of Courage


caption2 = Star of Military Valour Ribbon

The Star of Military Valour (SMV) is awarded to members of the Canadian Forces for their "distinguished and valiant service in the presence of the enemy". [http://www.admfincs.forces.gc.ca/admfincs/subjects/cfao/018-04_e.asp Canadian Forces Administrative Order 18-4 Recommendations for Canadian Orders, Decorations and Military Honours]

The SMV 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 1960s and early 1970s. 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.

Recipients

The decoration was first awarded to Sergeant Patrick Tower on 27 October 2006 for his actions during combat on 3 August 2006. The official citation describing Sgt. Tower's actions reads:

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. [http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=4905]

Major William Hilton Fletcher, S.M.V., C.D.Edmonton and St. Albert, AlbertaStar of Military Valour

As Officer Commanding C Company, Task Force Afghanistan, from January to August 2006, Major Fletcher repeatedly demonstrated extraordinary bravery by exposing himself to intense fire while leading his forces, on foot, to assault heavily defended enemy positions. On two occasions, the soldiers at his side were struck by enemy fire. He immediately rendered first aid and then continued to head the subsequent assaults. On these occasions and in ensuing combat actions, his selfless courage, tactical acumen and effective command were pivotal to the success of his company in defeating a determined opponent.

Corporal Sean Teal, S.M.V. Petawawa, Ontario; and Dartmouth and Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia Star of Military Valour

On September 3, 2006, during Operation MEDUSA, the light utility vehicle driven by Corporal Teal, a member of 7 Platoon Charles Company, was hit and destroyed by enemy rocket-propelled grenade fire. Despite being wounded, Corporal Teal assessed the situation and, under heavy enemy fire, moved to report the situation and bring assistance. He then returned twice to the vehicle to provide treatment to his severely wounded comrades, including the platoon medic, and to evacuate all personnel injured or killed. His brave and professional actions saved lives and allowed the orderly withdrawal of his platoon under heavy fire.

Private Jess Randall Larochelle, S.M.V. Petawawa, Ontario Star of Military Valour

On October 14, 2006, Private Larochelle of the 1st Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group was manning an observation post when it was destroyed by an enemy rocket in Pashmul, Afghanistan. Although he was alone, severely injured, and under sustained enemy fire in his exposed position at the ruined observation post, he aggressively provided covering fire over the otherwise undefended flank of his company’s position. While two personnel were killed and three others were wounded in the initial attack, Private Larochelle’s heroic actions permitted the remainder of the company to defend their battle positions and to successfully fend off the sustained attack of more than 20 insurgents. His valiant conduct saved the lives of many members of his company.

Major David Quick, S.M.V.Trenton, OntarioStar of Military Valour

Major Quick displayed exceptional courage commanding his company in dismounted, intense combat operations throughout Zhari District. Leading from the front during numerous actions while under effective small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire, his superb leadership inspired his soldiers to consistently defeat heavily defended enemy positions. Despite injury by a roadside bomb, Maj. Quick's personal courage, tactical prowess and selfless dedication inspired the Battle Group and were fundamental in defeating a determined enemy without suffering a single Canadian casualty within his company.

ee also

* Victoria Cross (Canada)
* Medal of Military Valour
* Cross of Valour (Canada)

Bibliography

* cite book
last = Blatherwick
first = Francis John
authorlink = Francis John Blatherwick
title = Canadian Orders, Decorations and Medals
publisher = Toronto: Unitrade Press
date = 2003
isbn = 978-0-91980-1103
* cite book
last = McCreery
first = Christopher
authorlink = Christopher McCreery
title = The Canadian Honours System
publisher = Toronto: Dundurn Press
date = 2005
isbn = 078-1-55002-554-5
* cite book
last = McCreery
first = Christopher
authorlink = Christopher McCreery
title = The Beginner's Guide to Canadian Honours
publisher = Toronto: Dundurn Press
date = 2008
isbn = 978-1-55002-748-8

References

External links

* [http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=collections/cmdp/mainmenu/group02/smv Veterans Affairs Canada: Star of Military Valour]
* [http://www.forces.gc.ca/hr/dhh/honours_awards/engraph/med1_e.asp?cat=3 Canadian Forces Honours and Awards Chart]
* [http://www.gg.ca/honours/decorations/mv/index_e.asp Office of the Governor General of Canada: Honours - Military Valour Decorations ]
* [http://www.gg.ca/media/doc.asp?lang=e&DocID=4905 Office of the Governor General of Canada: Governor General announces the first-ever awarding of Military Valour Decorations]
* [http://www.admfincs.forces.gc.ca/admfincs/subjects/cfao/018-04_e.asp Canadian Forces Administrative Order 18-4 Recommendations for Canadian Orders, Decorations and Military Honours]