Meritorious Service Decorations - Military Division
Meritorious Service Medal
Awarded on: 2010-06-30
Invested on: 2010-11-02
Captain McDonald was deployed as the maritime component commander of Joint Task
Force Haiti, from January to March 2010. His detailed understanding of the conduct of
joint land operations, in the context of humanitarian assistance and recovery, was at the
source of the very successful land and sea operations led by Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships
Halifax and Athabaskan. This, combined with his dynamic leadership, enabled the delivery
of necessary supplies, labour and security to a ravaged landscape. His decisive actions had an
immediate and enduring positive effect on the disaster zone, greatly contributing to Canada’s
international reputation.