Meritorious Service Medal
Awarded on: 2011-09-18
Invested on: 2013-09-12
As officer commanding India Company from May to December 2010, Major Noel distinguished himself as a flexible and effective combat leader. Initially deployed to Kandahar City, his company conducted ongoing patrols, which improved stability and enabled American forces to seamlessly assume security responsibilities. Following their reassignment to volatile Nakhonay, his soldiers excelled in their new role, and helped reduce incidents of violence and intimidation towards villagers. Major Noel’s front line leadership was critical to the Canadian Forces’ operational success in Afghanistan.