Those who have never served in a combat action may not understand what motivates some people to perform acts of outstanding valour. Generally, it is something done to save the lives of others: friends; comrades sharing the same situation. Distinguishing valour under fire has everything to do with leadership. It is about taking risks to get your own people out of a bad spot and it is invariably remembered by those who live it as an extremely bad event.

These are the first ever presentation of these decorations from the Canadian honours and awards system:

Star of Military Valour

Sergeant Patrick Tower, S.M.V., C.D.Edmonton, Alberta, and Victoria, British Columbia

Sergeant Tower is recognized for valiant actions taken on August 3, 2006, in the Pashmul region of Afghanistan. Following an enemy strike against an outlying friendly position that resulted in numerous casualties, Sergeant Tower assembled the platoon medic and a third soldier and led them across 150 metres of open terrain, under heavy enemy fire, to render assistance. On learning that the acting platoon commander had perished, Sergeant Tower assumed command and led the successful extraction of the force under continuous small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Sergeant Tower’s courage and selfless devotion to duty contributed directly to the survival of the remaining platoon members.

Sgt Patrick Tower & Capt Bob Tower (ret'd) Sgt Patrick Tower, Gen Rick Hillier CDS, & Capt Bob Tower (ret'd)

Sgt Tower being presented Star of Military Valour from the Governor General / Congratulations by PM. L-R, MND, PM, Gen Fraser, Sgt Tower

Canadian soldier receives Star of Military Valour

Updated Fri. Nov. 10 2006 11:00 PM ET

Sgt. Patrick Tower is the first and only soldier ever awarded the star of military honour.

Sgt. Patrick Tower is the first and only soldier ever awarded the star of military honour.

Bob Tower is a retired Captain.

Bob Tower (Sgt Patrick Tower's Father) is a retired Captain.

Gen. Rick Hillier says 'Canadians have woken up and realized this is not grandfathers at war, these are our young, our sons and daughters.'

Gen. Rick Hillier says 'Canadians have woken up and realized this is not grandfathers at war, these are our young, our sons and daughters.'

CTV.ca News Staff

Sgt. Patrick Tower has become the first ever Canadian to receive the Star of Military Valour. The courageous soldier saved at least four comrades in a brutal Afghanistan firefight.

Although Tower survived to continue fighting, his best friend Sgt. Vaughn Ingram died in the violence.

"I asked him what were the ranks of the soldiers that were killed and he told me," said Tower's father, retired captain Bob Tower, who spoke with his son shortly after the attack.

"I said, 'Who was the sergeant?' and he said Ingram. I said, 'Oh Pat, I'm sorry.'"

The honour is one of the highest military decorations for valour in Canada, second only to the Victoria Cross. Both of those awards, along with the Medal of Military Valour, were created for the Canadian Forces in 1993.

Tower received the honour for his valiant act on Aug. 3, in which he risked his life to save troops pinned down by rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) fire.

The platoon was trying to secure a school in the volatile Pashmul region. Along with Ingram, two other Canadian soldiers were killed in the attack: Pte. Kevin Dallaire and Cpl. Bryce Jeffrey Keller.

Another soldier, Cpl. Christopher Reid, died earlier in the day from a roadside bomb. All four soldiers were from the Edmonton-based Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

It was one of the worst days of casualties suffered by the military since the Afghanistan mission began in 2002.

"Not a day goes by when I don't think about Sgt. Ingram, or the 3rd of August, or what happened that day," Tower told CTV News.

Tower, born in Victoria, B.C., gathered together another soldier and the platoon medic, and took them through 150 metres of open terrain -- without any place to hide or find cover -- while grenades and bullets rained down on the small group.

"I just told Tom (the other soldier) and the medic, we've got to go up there," Tower recalled. "I thought there was a lot of fire before, but as soon as we started running, they really picked it up."

When they reached the troops at the school, Tower discovered the acting platoon commander was dead. He took command and led the surviving members to safety.

During Friday's ceremony, Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Rick Hillier described Tower as "a true Canadian hero."

But Tower said his courage depended on the soldiers around him, and that he was only one part of a team.

"I'm just proud of my whole platoon and how they all performed that day. Like I said, that award belongs to all us," said Tower.

Hillier said Tower, and others fighting for peace and stability in Afghanistan, remind Canadians of the importance of Remembrance Day and the sacrifices soldiers make.

"Canadians have woken up and realized this is not our grandfathers at war, these are our young, our sons and daughters," he said.

With a report from CTV's National Affairs Correspondent Lisa LaFlamme

| Home | Registration | Links & Favourites | Members Directory | Employment Ops | On the Front Lines |

| New Guest Book | Message Board | Memoriam | Web Newsletters | Honours & Awards | History of the Trade |

| Annual Promotions | Photo's | Retirement Info | Posting Information | Special Events | Old Guest Book |

This is not an official DND or Canadian Forces Web Site This page was last updated on May 08, 2009 22:22:39 hrs