Feb 28, 2016 2 min read

Ret. Army Col. Eugene Shearer recently was awarded the Canadian Meritorious Service Medal by Canadian Ambassador Gary Doer at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C.

The award was presented in recognition of Shearer’s work as chief of the Combined Joint Logistics Branch within Regional Command South, Afghanistan, from May 2010 to June 2011.

Shearer’s parents are Larry and Mary Shearer of Washington.

“Col. Shearer’s leadership was vital to Canada’s operational success in Afghanistan,” Doer said. “I was honored today to present the Meritorious Service Medal to Col. Shearer on behalf of the governor general of Canada, and to thank him for his service on behalf of Canadians. We truly are friends, partners and allies.”

The citation notes Shearer was a “true champion for Canada as Sustainment Enterprise Director and Chief of the Combine Joint Logistics Branch within Regional Command (South) Headquarters.”

In addition, it reads, “Consistently employing our soldiers in key positions, he was crucial to the Canadian Contingent’s integration into the Headquarters and ensured Canada received essential support during a critical period of mission transition.”

Rear Adm. Bill Truelove, Canada’s senior defense attaché to the United States, said, “This is an example of the close working relationship Canada and the United States enjoys, and is one example of some of the great work that is done in cooperation overseas on a daily basis on behalf of our two nations.”

The MSM was created in 1991, and is intended to recognize individuals, both Canadian and foreign, who have carried out meritorious acts that benefit and honor military personnel or civilians. The MSM reognizes a deed or an activity that has been performed in a highly professional manner, or according to a very high standard.