Afghanistan

Ten officers (including two Lieutenant Colonels) and fifty-six other ranks from the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada served in Afghanistan between 2003 and 2011 when Canada withdrew its combat troops. Six completed a second rotation. One was awarded the Canadian Medal of Bravery.

2003-2006

Corporal Chris Abate
Corporal Jason Bridge
Corporal Bryan Burns
Corporal Marc Charlebois
Lieutenant Wesley Clark
Corporal Adam de Bartok
Sergeant Dave Harmes
Corporal Nicholas Harper
Sergeant Ted Howard (see below re President’s Gold Coin)
Corporal Inkee Kim
Corporal Ivanka Koulik
Corporal Calvin Lui
Corporal Jason McGibbon
Corporal Michael McQuaid
Master Corporal Jamieson Murray (see below re CESCOM Citation)
Captain Andrew Sarossy
Corporal Stephen Thomas, MB (see below re Medal of Bravery)
Sergeant Chris Van Hamme
Corporal Jason Walter
Sergeant Judy Willan

2008-2009

Corporal Paul Benincasa
Lieutenant Colonel Steve Brand
Master Corporal Rick Chiu
Master Corporal Adam de Bartok (2nd rotation)
Corporal Gavin Griffiths
Corporal Lee Harrison
Corporal Nader Hijazi
Corporal Chris Hinds
Master Corporal Rick Kurelo
Corporal Joshua Low
Corporal Calvin Lui (2nd rotation)
Master Corporal Jason McGibbon (2nd rotation)
Warrant Officer Scott Moody (later Lieutenant Colonel)
Sergeant Bill Paton
Master Warrant Officer (later CWO/RSM) Mark Shannon
Major (later Lieutenant Colonel) Peter St. Denis
Captain Shawn Stewart
Corporal Paola Vila
Corporal Barry Windower
Corporal Adam Winnicki
Corporal Darcy Wood

2010-2011

Corporal Rodrigo Alonso
Lieutenant Colonel Sandi Banerjee
Sergeant Jesse Behan
Corporal Robert Bremner
Major Alan Champion
Corporal Alan Chen
Master Corporal Michael Coelho
Corporal Stephen Craddock
Master Corporal Adam Deganis
Master Corporal Orlando Dias
Corporal Craig Dickie
Corporal Alexandros Dritsas
Master Corporal Mena Ghattas
Corporal Chris Hinds (2nd rotation), Mentioned in Dispatches
Corporal Seo Woo Jun
Warrant Officer Inasio Kim
Corporal Louis-Philipe Lachaine
Corporal Mansel Lavery
Captain Ben Lee
Captain Rick Moyer
Sergeant Jamieson Murray (2nd rotation)
Corporal Paolo Ortega
Sergeant Bill Paton (2nd rotation)
Captain Andrew Sarossy (2nd rotation)
Captain Mark Timms
Master Corporal Cherith Tse
Corporal Justin Wright

Video by Master Corporal Jay McGibbon who served on two rotations in Afghanistan.

Master Corporal Stephen Thomas MB, was awarded a Medal of Bravery for his actions when the vehicle in which he was riding whilst on patrol in Afghanistan struck an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and burst into flames. His citation reads as follows:

“On 3 October 2006, MCpl Thomas’ Combat Logistics Patrol was travelling west of Kandahar, Afghanistan, when it was attacked by a suicide bomber that disabled one of the vehicles, quickly engulfing it in flames. MCpl Thomas recognized that the uncontrolled detonation of the ammunition in the vehicle posed a deadly threat to the patrol and the gathering local Afghans. Despite the growing inferno and having to cross through the flames, he and three fellow soldiers repeatedly returned to vehicle to offload ammunition and mission essential cargo. MCpl Thomas’ selfless actions prevented a massive explosion and saved the lives of fellow soldiers and Afghan civilians.”

Sergeant Jamieson Murray was awarded a Canadian Expeditionary Forces Command) (CESCOM) citation, which reads as follows:

“Sgt. Murray deployed with the Force Protection Platoon of the National Support Element, Task Force Afghanistan from August 2006 to March 2007. On several occasions throughout his tour, when enemy fighters ambushed his Combat Logistic Patrols, his leadership and composure under fire were instrumental in maintaining his troops’ focus on the successful completion of their mission. Even when injured, he placed himself in harm’s way to enforce fire orders, establish section and security and attend to wounded soldiers. Sgt. Murray’s dedication to duty and commitment to his fellow soldiers reflect the highest standards of professionalism and significantly enhanced support to the mission.”

Sergeant Ted Howard was awarded The United States of America’s President’s Gold Coin in recognition of his exemplary and outstanding service in Afghanistan in 2006. The coin was presented by U.S. Army General John Craddock, then Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) of NATO, at an Empire Club meeting in Toronto.

“Today I’m truly pleased to have the opportunity to meet and recognize Sgt Ted Howard. Sgt Howard is the epitome of selfless service, an outstanding Canadian soldier. He embodies the non-commissioned officer qualities we are highlighting this year throughout NATO—courage, sacrifice, initiative, performance and empowerment. Sgt Howard is a veteran of 15 years. He recently received the prestigious Canadian Expeditionary Force Commander’s Commendation for his achievements in Afghanistan. His skills were recognized early when he worked on civil military operations, nation building and ultimately as a part of a Provincial Reconstruction Team in a quite dangerous area in Afghanistan. He was personally responsible for the successful completion of more than 180 projects, working closely with municipal officials in Kandahar City and the Director of Women’s Affairs and the Director of Amputees. His projects included 15,000 man-days of labour and were personally recognized by President Karzai and by the foreign press. He also shared in the painful duty of helping repatriate fallen Canadian soldiers. Sgt Howard, thank you so much for what you’ve accomplished. You are indeed an inspiration, not only to your peers, but to senior leaders across NATO and across Afghanistan. And your good work continues as you prepare, and indeed inspire, the next group of soldiers from Ontario who will follow in your footsteps in doing invaluable work in Afghanistan. I now want to present you a Commander’s Coin for your great efforts.”