Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 149, Number 23: GOVERNMENT HOUSE

June 6, 2015

THE ORDER OF MILITARY MERIT

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, Chancellor and Commander of the Order of Military Merit, in accordance with the Constitution of the Order of Military Merit, has appointed the following:

Commanders of the Order of Military Merit

Officers of the Order of Military Merit

Members of the Order of Military Merit

Witness the Seal of the Order of Military Merit this tenth day of October of the year two thousand and fourteen

Seal of the Order of Military Merit

STEPHEN WALLACE
Secretary General
of the Order of Military Merit

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MERITORIOUS VALOUR DECORATIONS

His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, on the recommendation of the Chief of the Defence Staff, has awarded Meritorious Valour Decorations (Military Division) as follows:

Meritorious Valour Decorations (Military Division)

SERGEANT SÉBASTIEN COURVILLE, S.M.V., C.D.
Perkins, Quebec

On May 7 and 8, 2011, Sergeant Courville demonstrated exceptional courage and dedication while mentoring an assault element of the Provincial Response Company–Kandahar during a spectacular and prolonged attack in Kandahar City. During a particularly intense exchange of fire, Sergeant Courville pulled to safety one of his Afghan partners who had been seriously wounded. Through his actions, Sergeant Courville saved a life and lent tremendous credibility to the Afghan National Police and to the Canadian Forces.

SENIOR CHIEF PETTY OFFICER THOMAS RATZLAFF, S.M.V. (deceased)
(U.S. NAVY SEAL)
Green Forest, Arkansas, United States of America

During an operation in Afghanistan on November 26, 2008, Senior Chief Petty Officer Ratzlaff demonstrated extraordinary heroism while reinforcing an assault on a fortified enemy machine gun nest. After multiple attempts to silence the machine gun, he gained entry through a hail of enemy fire. Without hesitation, he deliberately placed himself in harm's way at point-blank range to neutralize the nest. His heroic actions saved countless lives in the face of a determined enemy.

CAPTAIN DAVID UMBERTO MARIO SUFFOLETTA, S.M.V., C.D.
Petawawa, Ontario

On May 7 and 8, 2011, Captain Suffoletta demonstrated exceptional valour while mentoring an assault element of the Provincial Response Company–Kandahar during a spectacular attack in Kandahar City. Under intense fire and at great personal risk, he led his team through a close-quarter clearance operation of a multi-storeyed building, valiantly coordinating multiple assaults that successfully neutralized the insurgent threat. Captain Suffoletta demonstrated distinguished leadership, courageous service and self-sacrifice in the presence of an armed enemy.

EMMANUELLE SAJOUS
Deputy Secretary and
Deputy Herald Chancellor

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