Meritorious Service Medal
Awarded on: 1995-07-18
Invested on: 1995-09-15
Major Massé, then a captain, was the military assistant to the sector commander for the United Nations Protection Force in Croatia for eight months in 1994. He quickly became a trusted go-between in the negotiations both with the Croats and the Serbs and was instrumental in the cease-fire arrangements. At one point, in January 1994, his vehicle was attacked by a number of armed individuals who opened fire with automatic weapons, hitting the vehicle repeatedly and forcing it off the road. Captain Massé and his driver left the vehicle and returned fire, forcing the attackers to break off their assault and retreat. Captain Massé always placed duty before personal considerations while demonstrating a calm and thoughtful professionalism under all circumstances.