Meritorious Service Decorations - Military Division
Meritorious Service Cross
Awarded on: 1995-03-10
Invested on: 1995-05-31
Major Rioux was the staff officer responsible for co-ordinating the activities of the UN Central Region Command Angola during the battle of Huambo in January 1992. Major Rioux was in charge of headquarters staff from a number of different countries and with varying degrees of ability and personal courage. Although not the senior officer present, he prevented panic among the unarmed observers and kept headquarters disciplined and operational by his strength of character. During the fighting and the subsequent retreat under small-arms fire, he personally led the patrols and organized the evacuation of Red Cross and United Nations personnel in immediate danger. His professionalism, cool-headedness and courage during this trial contributed to the safe withdrawal of both civilian and military personnel with few casualties.