Meritorious Service Medal
- Awarded on: January 27, 1997
- Invested on: September 12, 1997
Rank: Corporal
On August 4 and 5, 1995, Master Corporal Gaudreau, then Corporal, was stationed at Kasic, in the Republic of Krajina in Croatia, when the Croatian armed forces launched a large-scale offensive to win back the Serbian sector where his observation post was located. He was caught in the middle of fighting between Croats and Serbs for 36 hours, under a constant barrage of mortar and artillery fire. He deployed his troops in protective bunkers and mounted the defence of his post. When the Croatian platoon came dangerously close in an attempt to capture it, Master Corporal Gaudreau went out alone without an interpreter to try to speak to the Croatians and negotiate their withdrawal. His calm demeanour, quick action and level-headedness saved the sector and the lives of the men under his command, an outstanding accomplishment for a military member of his rank.
