U.S. Award‘s for 3 V.P. Battle Group

[Spr.Earl]

ECHO 2
News Update


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On 8 December, at the Universiade Pavilion (Butterdome), University of Alberta Campus, Edmonton, the 3 PPCLI battle Group will be awarded the Commander-in-Chief Unit Commendation. The Battle Group was involved in Operation Apollo in Afghanistan in 2002.


Mr. Paul Cellucci, The United States of America Ambassador to Canada, will be on hand to present 30 Bronze Stars to soldiers from the 3 PPCLI Battle Group. The Bronze Star is "awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army of the United States distinguishes himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service in connection with operations against an armed enemy; or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing force in which the United States is not a belligerent party".

Among those 30 soldiers will be Major Rod Keller and MWO Ken Hodge, of 1 CER.

 

[Spr.Earl]

I imagine so if the Ambassador,who represent‘s the Commander in Chief and the People of the U.S. is awarding the honour‘s.

I guess I‘ll find out if and when I meet M.W.O. Hodge as I‘ve known him on and off for year‘s since his day‘s in 44th Field Sqn out of Trail B.C.(Reserve Engineer Unit)and his time in the Reg.Force.

 

[Michael Dorosh]

As has been tradition in the Canadian Army for about a century, foreign awards will be permitted to be worn; per custom they come after all Canadian decorations in order of precedence IIRC, and would be worn on the extreme end of the ribbon bar, after the CD and all Canadian decorations.

I understand one of the Bronze Stars is going to a Liason Officer(?) Will any of these medals have the V for Valor device? Will any of the snipers be receiving them?

 

[Joel85]

I‘m going to that ceremony, I can‘t wait

 

[Art Johnson]

If a Soldier is still standing when the guns start going off HE WILL BE A DEAD SOLDIER.

 

[Spr.Earl]

To all,this was a email I received from a Engineer web site,Echo 2 to which I subscribe to.
As to the sniper‘s,yes I imagine they are also going to get thier Gong‘s for the good job they did.
I‘ll be watching the news and paper‘s that day and will post what I find and also try and contact those I know with in 1 C.E.R. if this true or not.

So we will have two Battalion‘s now with the swimming pool on their shoulder and both from the same Regiment.

 

[Michael Dorosh]

The Swimming Pool is the Presidential Unit Citation - the Commander-In-Chief‘s Citation is the lion on the pocket.

Is 3 PPCLI really getting the PUC? Or are you confusing it with the new Canadian award?

http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/distinctions.htm

 

[Spr.Earl]

Mike we don‘t use "Commander in Chief",we use C.D.S. for Chief of Defence Staff.
Wait out.I‘ll get back to you on this as I thought it was a Presidential Award?
Just sent a email clarifiying the question.

I think you may be right about after looking at your site We had a gong show last Thursday and a Sgt we have who was in Seriavo recieved his for getting the run way lighting up and a few other job‘s he did over thier beside‘s having a few drink‘s with the Foreign Legion(he‘s got some tale‘s!!).I could not believe how tiny it is!!!!Yup realy tiny and worn below your medal‘s mid pocket.

 

[Michael Dorosh]

Yes we do use Commander In Chief, as that is the name of the Governor General‘s award. That is the one 3 PPCLI is getting, not the Presidential Unit Citation.

 

[Spr.Earl]

Thank‘s Mike I stand corrected.

 

[Michael Dorosh]

Still, it is indeed significant that two battalions of the same regiment are getting this award. Poor 1st.

Then again, with only three regiments, not much of a surprise...

 

[Spr.Earl]

But we are the best even though we are a small Force!!!!!!!!!!!

UBIQUE

 

[Danjanou]

A what if....could it be possible that one of the recipients does not have a CDN award? WOuld they still be allowed to wear only a US award?

The way I interpret the regs regarding this yes at least in theory.

It‘s a moot point in this case though as everyone who served in Afghanistan would have been awarded the South West Asia medal with the appropriate bar at the least.

 

[Grunt_031]

The Bronze Stars are being issued to the snipers and the remained to the CO, RSM, OC's, CSM's, none to the troops.
As for the SWASM with Afghanistan Bar. Every Swinging **** that had his/her name attached to OP APOLLO got the medal and Afghan Bar. No differance if you where on the grd in Afghanistan, basking in the *****, or patrolling the Gulf. Even the Infantry that served their 60 days in the ***** on their security task where issued the SWASM and Afghan bar.

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

I can‘t believe that anyone other then the snipers are getting a bronze star. There has to be a certain criteria meet and as far as I know a RSM, CO wouldn‘t meet them in this operation as they didn‘t go on the patrols. I also haven‘t heard of any other Pres Citations being put up. I can‘t see 7 snipers (half of which were from my BN) getting 3VP a Pres Citation. I hope not at least. I like being unique.

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

Oh and on a side not, 1/3 of the infantry were made up of 2VP troops which everyone seems to forget (esp. the news). Sad state of affairs when they have to pool troops from different BN in coy size to make up for short comings.

 

[Infanteer]

The "Best Little Army in the World", the Brits, are doing it too. My contacts in the Royal Scots tell me that 2 of their 4 rifle companies and their reconnaisance company are in Iraq augmenting other units...Canada is not alone.

 

[Grunt_031]

The Bronze Stars to the Command Element Pers are being awarded for Meritorius Service (for the entire tour) and not Bravery as the ones being awarded to the snipers.This is a common thing, I am told, within the US Forces. I have know a few examples such as one being awarded to officiers who where liasons at Div HQ during the Gulf War. As well, it is documented of US per receiving it for shooting their own troops(mistaken ID)in cbt.I forgot there are 4 being awarded to the fallen.

 

[Scoobie Newbie]

It wouldn‘t surprise me one bit that the brass felt that if the lowly troops got them then their officer brothers deserved them too. The 4 fallen I can see as well.

 

[Michael Dorosh]

Originally posted by Infanteer:
[qb] The "Best Little Army in the World", the Brits, are doing it too. My contacts in the Royal Scots tell me that 2 of their 4 rifle companies and their reconnaisance company are in Iraq augmenting other units...Canada is not alone. [/qb]

I heard today that the First of Foot is on the chopping block, along with the Black Watch - true?