Petition for VC Jess Larochelle

[undercoverbrother]

https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/...etition=e-6661

20,000 signatures needed by Nov 20, 2025, I think there are roughly 11,200

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jess_Larochelle

He won the Star of Military Valour, but not a VC.

This is the citation

On October 14, 2006, Private Larochelle of the 1st Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group was manning an observation post when it was destroyed by an enemy rocket in Pashmul, Afghanistan. Although he was alone, severely injured, and under sustained enemy fire in his exposed position at the ruined observation post, he aggressively provided covering fire over the otherwise undefended flank of his company’s position. While two members of the personnel were killed and three others were wounded in the initial attack, Private Larochelle’s heroic actions permitted the remainder of the company to defend their battle positions and to successfully fend off the sustained attack of more than 20 insurgents. His valiant conduct saved the lives of many members of his company

On October 14, 2006, Jess Larochelle was manning an observation post on Charles Company's flank. The company was positioned around Pashmul, guarding a road between two Canadian bases. Larochelle was the machine gunner for the observation post.[6]

Around 3 p.m., the company was attacked by a force of over 50 Taliban, who were equipped with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms weapons. The forward observation post took a direct hit and Larochelle was wounded, briefly losing consciousness. When he awoke, he discovered that two men of his company, Sergeant Darcy Tedford and Private Blake Williamson, were dead and three more had been wounded.[7] Larochelle was seriously injured in the initial attack, with broken vertebrae in his neck and back, a detached retina in one of his eyes and a blown eardrum. Though he was partially deaf and had limited eyesight, Larochelle mounted a swift and aggressive defence of the OP, firing his machine gun he quickly ran out of ammunition. He then began firing M72 rocket launchers at the enemy, firing fifteen 66-mm rockets at a force of about 20–40 Taliban insurgents heavily armed with rifles, light machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades.[8]

If that isn't "extraordinary valour and devotion to duty while facing hostile forces" what the phuck is?

Take a moment and sign the petition.

All Star if Military Valour will be reviewed to see if they should have gotten a VC.

Jess' will be Posthumous

[Robbob]

done and done.

[Dion]

Done and done also.

[Locke]

Done and done.

[schteve_d]

Done as well. Good luck.

[PaperBagger'14]

11500+ signatures, over halfway.

Signed as well

[CaptainCrunch]

Pretty easy petition to sign.

[Francis's Hairpiece]

11525. Done and done ��

[troutman]

I will talk to the Legion about this.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by troutman

I will talk to the Legion about this.

Let's hope they do something positive.

[bizaro86]

Signed. Now at 11570.

Don't forget to confirm your email address by clicking the link they sent you or it doesn't count.

[RoadGame]

Signed and shared. Thanks for posting this, I wouldn't have been aware of the petition otherwise.

[CroFlames]

Why hasn't he been awarded it already?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Why hasn't he been awarded it already?

He was awarded the Star of Military Valour, the 2nd-highest award.

To paraphrase an interview with General Hillier (who chaired the awards panel at the time) they were new to war. They weren't sure if it might be the threshold or not.

In fairness to him, he owns it as an error and is involved in attempting to rectify that error.

This petition is to have all Stars of Valour reviewed, and potentially upgraded to VC is appropriate.

Why this hasn't happened..........phuck nose.

[CroFlames]

I mean #### the Americans and other allies awarded their highest honors in Afghanistan. Sounds like a BS excuse to me not to give it to him (and potentially others).

I see on his Wikipedia he passed in 2023. Sad.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I mean #### the Americans and other allies awarded their highest honors in Afghanistan. Sounds like a BS excuse to me not to give it to him (and potentially others).

I see on his Wikipedia he passed in 2023. Sad.

Agreed, but at least Hillier is trying to change it.

Sign the petition

[Sylvanfan]

Glad I read this thread, thanks for posting this. Signed and confirmed.

[Puppet Guy]

Signed.

[8 Ball]

Signed

[btimbit]

Count me in as well