The Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service (CFMDS) (french: Médaillon des Forces canadiennes pour service distingué) is awarded by the
Chief of the Defence Staff in recognition of outstanding service, performed by individuals and groups who are not active members of the
Canadian Forces
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The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF; french: Forces armées canadiennes, ''FAC'') are the unified military forces of Canada, including sea, land, and air elements referred to as the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force.
...
. Establishment of this award was started by
General
A general officer is an Officer (armed forces), officer of highest military ranks, high rank in the army, armies, and in some nations' air forces, space forces, and marines or naval infantry.
In some usages the term "general officer" refers t ...
Gérard Charles Édouard Thériault
General Gérard Charles Édouard Thériault, CMM, CD (June 5, 1932 in Gaspé, Quebec, Canada – October 13, 1998 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) was Chief of the Defence Staff between 1983 and 1986.
Military service
Thériault graduat ...
,
CMM,
CD and finished by his successor General
Paul David Manson
General Paul David Manson (born August 20, 1934) is a retired Canadian Forces officer, fighter pilot and businessman.
Early life and education
Born in Trail, BC, Paul Manson attended both Royal Roads and Royal Military College of Canada. He w ...
,
OC, CMM, CD in 1987. The award was first approved for presentation in 1989.
Criteria
The CFMDS is awarded for "service of a rare and exceptionally high standard, which accrues great benefit to the CF as a whole." Eligible service must be rendered by persons who are not active members of the Canadian Forces, or members of allied armed forces. Canadian and foreign citizens may be considered for this honour.
[
Recommendations for the award are submitted to the Canadian Forces Decorations and Commendations Advisory Committee. This committee considers recommendations and submits the names to the Chief of Defence Staff of those who meet the conditions of the award.][
]
Appearance
The current version of the award is a twelve-sided silver medallion, 76 mm in diameter. The obverse
Obverse and its opposite, reverse, refer to the two flat faces of coins and some other two-sided objects, including paper money, flags, seals, medals, drawings, old master prints and other works of art, and printed fabrics. In this usage, ...
displays the Canadian Forces emblem. The emblem is a flying eagle in front of crossed swords, superimposed over an anchor topped by St Edward's Crown
St Edward's Crown is the centrepiece of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. Named after Saint Edward the Confessor, versions of it have traditionally been used to crown English and British monarchs at their coronations since the 13th cen ...
. Around the emblem are four maple leaves within the center field of the medallion. The edge of the medallion bears the inscription "DISTINGUISHED SERVICE" on the left and "SERVICE DISTINGUÉ" on the right. The inscriptions are separated by a spray of laurel leaves at the top and bottom edges. The reverse bears a wreath of maple and laurel leaves around the edge. The center is plain so the recipient's name may be engraved.[
]
Notable recipients
* Don Cherry
Donald Stewart Cherry (born February 5, 1934) is a Canadian former ice hockey player, coach, and television commentator. Cherry played one game in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Boston Bruins, and later coached the team for five se ...
* Jeremiah Jones
* The Ottawa Hospital
The Ottawa Hospital (french: L'Hôpital d'Ottawa) is a hospital system in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The system was formed through the merger of the former Grace Hospital, Ottawa Riverside Hospital, Ottawa General Hospital and Ottawa Civic Hospital ...
References
{{Reflist
External links
Image of Jeremiah Jones' CFMDS
Civil awards and decorations of Canada