Latest news with #RobertHamptonGray
Ottawa Citizen
14 hours ago
- General
- Ottawa Citizen
Storey: Afghan War veterans should be eligible for Victoria Cross
In recent history, there has been no shortage of valour in the Canadian military. And yet, both the federal government and Canadian Armed Forces are apparently unwilling to fully recognize that valour. Article content Looking back, Canadians earned 73 Victoria Crosses — the highest award for military valour awarded by the United Kingdom to the armed forces of Commonwealth countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand — during the First World War, and an additional 16 during the Second World War. The last was awarded to Royal Navy pilot Lieut. Robert Hampton Gray during the final month of the war. Article content Article content Article content Each citation was vetted by not only the Canadian military but also the British military, as the British had ultimate control over who received this most coveted award. Article content In the past 80 years, no Victoria Crosses have been awarded to Canadians, even after we adapted our own unique version of the British medal in 1993. Article content Canadians have fought two shooting wars, a 12-year war in Afghanistan that cost us 158 lives and a three-year war in Korea in the early 1950s that cost 516 lives. Since 1948, more than 125,000 Canadian soldiers have served worldwide on numerous challenging U.N. missions that at times were more peace-making than peacekeeping in nature, costing Canada 130 lives. Article content But apparently no Canadian measured up to earning a Victoria Cross. Article content The drought in awarding any Canadians the Victoria Cross for combat actions in Afghanistan is perplexing, given that our closest Commonwealth allies have been much more generous in recognizing their valour in that theatre. Article content Article content Australia deployed 26,000 soldiers to Afghanistan and awarded four Victoria Crosses. The United Kingdom deployed 150,000 and awarded three. New Zealand, which deployed 3,500, awarded one. Article content Article content Even our NATO allies were more open to recognizing courage in Afghanistan with their top awards. The United States, which deployed over 800,000, awarded 20 Medals of Honor. Germany, which deployed 150,000, awarded four Bundeswehr Crosses of Honour. Italy, which deployed 50,000, awarded three Gold Medals of Military Valour. Even the Netherlands, which deployed 20,000, has apparently awarded three Military Orders of William. Article content Yet Canada, which deployed over 40,000 troops to Afghanistan, has not awarded anyone our own version of the Victoria Cross, but has instead elected to award the next highest valour decoration, the Star of Military Valour, to 17 Canadians and one U.S. Navy Seal.
CTV News
09-08-2025
- General
- CTV News
Royal Canadian Navy names new Arctic patrol ship in honour of Robert Hampton Gray
Navy members take part in the naming ceremony of an Arctic patrol ship. (CTV/Hafsa Arif) The Royal Canadian Navy has officially named its sixth Arctic and offshore patrol ship the Robert Hampton Gray in a ceremony that leaders say honours history and collaboration. The vessel is named after a decorated Canadian naval aviator, the last Canadian to receive the Victoria Cross. 'The naming of the ship is an important moment that sort of gives the ship an identity,' said Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee from the Royal Canadian Navy. The ceremony was deliberately timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of his death in action. This class of ships is dedicated to Canadian naval heroes, with names chosen through an extensive process. A ship's naming committee works under the deputy commander of the Navy, consulting widely before the minister of National Defence approves the final choice — usually years ahead of the official ceremony. This event also served as a reminder of the close partnership between the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force. The Air Force's 12 Wing Shearwater provides maritime helicopter detachments for many of the Navy's ships — a relationship officials describe as integral to operations at sea. 'It's a real privilege to be able to actually be included in such a significant naval event and because of that connection with the naval aviator,' said the Canadian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Jamie Speiser Blanchet. 'It's just important to share in that history and be able to then focus on how that has translated into a very positive relationship that carry on to this day.' Military leaders say integrating air detachments into ship operations takes trust, training, and teamwork, and the strong ties between sailors and aircrew are a tradition worth celebrating.
