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Private Michael Patrick O'Rourke

Petawawa, Ontario, Canada

Meaford, Ontario, Canada

Petawawa, Ontario, Canada

Petawawa, Ontario, Canada

Petawawa, Ontario, Canada

Oromocto, New Brunswick, Canada

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Shilo, Manitoba, Canada

Denwood, Alberta, Canada

Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada

Governor General's Academic Medal

  • Silver

    University of Alberta (Undergraduate Studies)
    Year Awarded: 1989

Order of Military Merit

  • Member of Military Merit (M.M.M.)

    Awarded on: 1979-06-18
    Invested on: 1979-11-21

Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Medal (2002)

Meritorious Service Decorations - Military Division

  • Meritorious Service Medal

    Awarded on: 1994-06-14
    Invested on: 1994-09-30
    In March 1993, Sergeant Morrison consistently displayed the highest standards of leadership and bravery as a Section Commander serving with the United Nations Protection Force in Bosnia. Among many outstanding examples are his initiation of clean-up efforts in the area in front of the Srebrenica hospital where a demoralized staff and populace had left scattered body parts. On another occasion, he risked his life by leaving an armoured personnel carrier during a mortar attack to save two members of his crew. His outstanding performance under these difficult and dangerous circumstances were in keeping with the finest traditions of his Regiment and of the Canadian Forces.

Military Valour Decorations

  • Star of Military Valour

    Awarded on: 2006-10-25
    Invested on: 2007-02-19
    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.

  • Medal of Military Valour

    Awarded on: 2006-10-25
    Invested on: 2007-02-19
    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.

  • Medal of Military Valour

    Awarded on: 2006-10-25
    Invested on: 2007-02-19
    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.

  • Medal of Military Valour

    Awarded on: 2006-10-25
    Invested on: 2007-02-19
    Private Lamont was 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.

  • Star of Military Valour

    Awarded on: 2006-12-18
    Invested on: 2007-02-19
    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.

  • Medal of Military Valour

    Awarded on: 2006-12-18
    Invested on: 2007-10-12
    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.