Meritorious Service Decorations - Military Division
Meritorious Service Medal
Awarded on: 2004-03-26
Invested on: 2005-02-08
In 1999, Commander Lightfoot, British Royal Navy, then Lieutenant-Commander, began successive commands of three UPHOLDER class submarines as they were each reactivated, trialed and transferred from the United Kingdom to Canada to become the VICTORIA Class submarines. Commanding Officer of all Canadian personnel assigned to crew each submarine, Commander Lightfoot collectively transitioned them into trained, safe and effective UPHOLDER Class crew. His professionalism, command presence and actions during several at-sea emergencies instilled complete crew confidence in both his abilities and their own. Commander Lightfoot’s exemplary performance has been instrumental to the successes achieved in the UPHOLDER programme, bringing great credit to the Royal Navy and considerable benefit to the Canadian Forces and to Canada.