UNCOMMON VALOUR UNAWARDED: Canadian Victoria Cross – Private Jesse Larochelle CMV

Mike 'Blazer' Blais

The battle continues, to convince the current Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to acknowledge the heretofore oversights and to recommend to the Governor General a review of the circumstances pertaining to the Star of Valour citation which was awarded to Private Jesse Larochelle, late of the Royal Canadian Regiment. There is new information which was presented to the current CDS by former CDS, General (ret'd) Rick Hillier and the non-profit organization which was founded to correct the oversight, Valour in the Presence of the Enemy.

Historically, the Canadian Victoria Cross (VC) had been repatriated to Canada after a Mulroney era review of the military honours system and a desire to create a truly Canadian honour which recognizes uncommon valour. Notably, Mulroney's  committee did not endorse the Victoria Cross (VC) title, recommending instead the Cross of Military Valour and other Canada specific proposals only to reverse course under pressure from veterans’ advocacy groups and pro-monarchy, empire loyalist elements of the public. Queen Elizabeth II ultimately approved of the concept, and in 1993, the VC was repatriated to Canada and retitled the Canadian Victoria Cross (CVC). To date, no serving Chief of Defence Staff has seen fit to award this prestigious honour to a member of the Canadian Armed Forces. This is despite Canada’s extraordinary sacrifice during the Afghanistan war.  Smokey Smith, the legendary sniper serving with Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, was the last of the living recipient’s and he passed on to Niner Higher (aka Heaven) in 2005. Lest we Forget.

Canadian Victoria Cross criteria: In essence, "the most conspicuous bravery, a daring pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty, in the presence of the enemy”  defines the nature of Canada’s ultimate award for valour. It is important to note that all pathways leading to the Victoria Cross do not pass through Parliament, but through National Defence Headquarters (NDHQ), where recommendations are assessed by the Decorations and Commendation Advisory Committee (DCAC). There are six members on the committee, one of which was chosen by the Governor General’s office, another by the serving CDS.

There has been a significant degree of anger within the veterans’ community with respect to the lack of acknowledgement of national sacrifice selflessly displayed in Afghanistan, despite the fact that the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia have all awarded Victoria Crosses to their worthy soldiers for their valour in Afghanistan and Iraq. When General Walt Natynczyk was CDS, he struck a special committee to study the matter but, alas, the DCAC responded with lame excuses in respect to the changing concept of war and the implementation of a new honours system. Seems to me this new and so-called improved honour system serves only to degrade valour’s merit, and frankly, it needs to be reassessed.

I am certain I am not the only member of the rank-and-file who feels betrayed by the decision. In 2021, General Hillier stepped forth to lead Valour in the Presence of the Enemy’s thrust to correct the fault which so many of us felt was unjust, in regards to Private Jesse Larochelle’s Star of Military Valour’s citation. General Hillier believes that had information -which became available only after the SMV submission to the Governor General's Office- been included, the criteria for the Canadian Victoria Cross would have been attained. As a result, Private Larochelle, who himself was recently summoned by Niner Higher (aka heaven), would have been honoured to be the first Canadian Victoria Cross recipient.  

I find it utterly baffling that successive CDS’s have not rallied to General Hillier’s call. Are you serious? Hillier was a CDS, and he now claims that information- only now available- would have resulted in a recommendation for a Canadian Victoria Cross. It seems clear to me that an inadvertent fault needs to be resolved. Has this generation’s cadre no respect for General Hillier’s war-time service or his dedication to not passing on the fault? Pro Patria, General Hillier. Shame on those who doubt your word and perpetuate the fault.

A new government rises, but can we be assured that the fault may be corrected through the transformative changes that are about to sweep through the Department of National Defence? Do we dare hope that those on the awards committee who failed Private Larochelle are replaced by members who understand the depths of national sacrifice? Perhaps replaced by those who are willing to accept General Hillier’s honourable quest for justice and recommend to the Governor General a review of the file with the intent to elevate Private Larochelle’s valorous acts into the realm of consideration for the Canadian Victoria Cross?

You can help. Valour in the presence of the Enemy has launched a parliamentary based email outreach as an effort to encourage members of the new parliament to support a NDHQ review. You can go to their website should you require a template and I would encourage you to share the link among your social media contacts as the team needs force multipliers.