Meritorious Service Decorations - Military Division
Meritorious Service Cross
Awarded on: 1995-07-26
Invested on: 1995-09-15
Colonel Lemieux, Commander of the United Nations Protection Force for the Bihac region between October 1994 and March 1995, was in charge of peacekeeping operations in one of the most complex, difficult and dangerous regions in the Balkans. His personal efforts and exceptional leadership were crucial to the success of the mission in northwestern Bosnia during this period. The clear-sightedness of Colonel Lemieux during negotiations and co-ordination sessions prevented the outbreak of a number of major conflicts and enabled the tenuous cease-fire to be maintained. As a result, lives were saved and the suffering of the local population was considerably reduced.