Military Decorations Ceremony

Chief of the Defence Staff, General Walter Natynczyk, thanked Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, for presenting the decorations to the members of Canadian Forces, at Rideau Hall.

The Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada presented Warrant Officer David George Shultz, S.M.V., C.D. with the Star of Military Valour. His leadership and courage inspired his soldiers during an ambush in Afghanistan.

The Governor General honoured Corporal Jordan E. Kochan, M.M.V., with the Medal of Military Valour, after he assisted and treated one of the wounded soldiers who had been ejected from the vehicle by the blast.

General Raymond Roland Joseph Henault, C.M.M., M.S.C., C.D. (Retired), was presented with the Meritorious Service Cross by the Governor General. He served as the chair of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Military Committee.

Colonel Bernd Horn, O.M.M., M.S.M., C.D., received the Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General. Col Horn was director of the Canadian Forces Leadership Institute, now recognized for its military leadership, professionalism and ethics.

Major Catherine Enid Potts, M.S.M., C.D., was honoured with the Meritorious Service Medal by the Governor General. Major Potts was deployed to Afghanistan as the officer commanding the Air Capability Activation Team, from June 2008 to January 2009.

Corporal Cameron M. Smithers, M.S.M., received the Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General. He was deployed to Afghanistan with the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team’s Force Protection Unit, from February to September 2008.

The Military Valour Decorations are awarded for an act of valour or devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. The Meritorious Service Decorations (military division) recognize individuals for their outstanding professionalism.