Meritorious Service Cross

• Awarded on: October 5, 1987
• Invested on: June 01, 1988

While employed as a Section Commander on United Nations peacekeeping duties in Nicosia, Cyprus, Sergeant Pengelly was involved in a potentially explosive situation on August 28, 1986. Ordered to occupy a small chapel normally used by armed Turkish-Cypriot forces as a sentry post in a disputed area of the Buffer Zone, he and his patrol wrested control without recourse to weapons fire. Later, they were confronted by a reinforced company of Turkish-Cypriot soldiers who attempted to physically remove Sergeant Pengelly and threatened to shoot the patrol. Sergeant Pengelly, exercising extreme restraint, reassured the young Turkish-Cypriot soldiers of their safety, but resisted all attempts to remove him. Subsequently, after the situation was defused, he remained unarmed in the chapel for an extended period in a gesture of good faith, which further reduced tension in the area. Sergeant Pengelly's poise and outstanding professional performance of military duties at a rare, high standard reflect great credit on himself and the Canadian Forces.