Staff
Sergeant Russell J. R. Gregoire officially received the Medal of Military Valour from Governor General Michaëlle Jean on June 4 during a ceremony in Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
On June 14, 2008, Sgt. Gregoire’s section was ambushed in Zhari District, Afghanistan. What was initially considered light contact quickly became a concentrated amount of small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire, splitting the section in two.
With the lead element taking serious casualties and in danger of being overrun, Sgt. Gregoire formulated an extraction plan.
In spite of the risks, he led the remainder of the section into heavier fire to provide cover for the beleaguered soldiers’ evacuation.
Sgt. Gregoire’s selfless devotion and courage inspired his platoon throughout the three-hour engagement.
Sgt. Gregoire had been cited for the award back in October. Due to the fact he was still in Afghanistan at that time., he was not presented with it until earlier this month.
