Canadian Veterans of Afghanistan Deserve Consideration for Canadian Victoria Cross Medal

(OTTAWA, ON) On October 14, 2006, Private Jess 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 and successfully fended off the attack. His valiant conduct saved the lives of many members of his company.

His family, friends and supporters through the veteran support organization “Valour in the Presence of the Enemy” are calling for Larochelle to be awarded a posthumous Canadian Victoria Cross, the highest medal of bravery offered in Canada.

Jess Larochelle had been suffering from medical complications due to his injuries for many years, and he died on August 30, 2023, near Nipissing, Ontario.

Pauline Rochefort, Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming, which was home to Larochelle, has sponsored a House of Commons petition calling for the creation of an “Independent Military Honours Review Board to review Afghanistan veterans’ cases to determine whether any of them meet the bar for the Canadian Victoria Cross.”

“The Victoria Cross, which has not been awarded since its creation in 1993, is awarded for the most conspicuous bravery, a daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty, in the presence of the enemy.  Jess and our other Afghanistan veterans deserve consideration,” said MP Rochefort.

 People can sign the online petition e-6661 until November 20, 2025 at:

https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-6661

For more information contact MP Pauline Rochefort 705-474-6155 or email [email protected]

Photo: MP Rochefort is proud to sponsor the Victoria Cross petition filed by Bruce Moncur (centre) and supported by Mike Harrison veteran’s advocacy group Valour in the Presence of the Enemy.