Canadian Bravery and Meritorious Service Awards
Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 154, Number 1: GOVERNMENT HOUSE
On 2020-01-04 the Governor General announced recipients of national bravery and military honours, including the Star of Courage (posthumously to Aaron Grant Gibbons), multiple Medals of Bravery, Meritorious Service Crosses and Medals (Military Division), and a Mention in Dispatches. One Meritorious Service Medal recipient’s name and citation were withheld for security reasons.
- Published
- January 4, 2020
- Department
- Unavailable
- Section
- CANADIAN BRAVERY DECORATIONS
- Comment deadline
- Unavailable
- Effective date
- Unavailable
- Publication part
- Part I
Summary
Summary#
On January 4, 2020, the Canada Gazette published a list of bravery and military honours recommended to the Governor General. The notice names recipients of the Star of Courage, the Medal of Bravery, and Meritorious Service Decorations (Military Division), and records a Mention in Dispatches; two awards were given posthumously and one military recipient’s name was withheld for security reasons.
What it does#
- Announces that the Star of Courage was awarded to Aaron Grant Gibbons (posthumous).
- Publishes a long list of recipients of the Medal of Bravery, including serving police officers and civilians (the Gazette item lists many individual names).
- Lists recipients of the Meritorious Service Cross (Military Division) and the Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division), naming a number of Canadian Armed Forces members (several officers and other ranks are named).
- Notes that one Meritorious Service Medal recipient’s name and citation were not released for security and operational reasons.
- Records a Mention in Dispatches for Master Corporal Shawn Douglas Orme.
Who's affected#
- The people named in the notice and their families are directly affected as recipients of national honours.
- Members of the Canadian Armed Forces and public safety personnel (several named are constables and other ranks) are part of the groups recognized.
- The wider public may be affected indirectly through increased awareness of acts of bravery and military service.
- If you want the full list of names, the Gazette notice itself is the source.
Why it matters#
- These are formal national recognitions of bravery and distinguished military service. They publicly acknowledge and record acts that brought honour to individuals and to Canada.
- For recipients and their communities, the awards offer recognition, support, and a historical record of their actions.
- The fact that one recipient’s identity was withheld highlights that some military actions remain sensitive for security reasons.
Key topics
Source: Canada Gazette