Meritorious Service Decorations - Military Division
Meritorious Service Medal
Awarded on: 1999-04-29
Invested on: 1999-09-10
From May to November 1997, Major Branchaud was a liaison officer at Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His excellent reports and preliminary analyses, under the dangerous conditions that prevailed during the fall of Kinshasa and the installation of a new government, were crucial to Canadian decisions with respect to this region. Major Branchaud assumed the role of head of mission after the evacuation of the top-ranking official of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Thanks to his leadership, courage and initiative, he was able to ensure the safety and welfare of Canadians in this war-torn country and prepare for the reopening of the Canadian Embassy. He demonstrated the highest level of professional military skill at all times, working tirelessly under extremely difficult conditions. Major Branchaud provided exemplary service to Canada and brought great honour to the Canadian Forces.