Order of Military Merit

Meritorious Service Cross

12320 General (Retd) Walter Natynczyk

Meritorious Service Medal

CDS Commendations

Both the CDS and Command Commendations are awarded with pins (three Gold and three Silver Maple Leaves respectively) and are authorized to be worn on the left breast pocket

Richard Groves

Command Commendation

Steve Gasser

For his conspicuous energy as applied to his duties in support of Maritime Command and the local Canadian Military Engineering community. His professional zeal and leadership in these fields has been outstanding during his tenure at Maritime Command Headquarters.

Civilian Recognitions

Hendy Award - Dr Richard Gimblett (2004) and Capt(N) Pete Avis (2007)

The Robert I. Hendy Award is awarded by the Navy League’s National Board of Directors to individuals who have accomplished feats or achievements of national or international significance in the area of maritime affairs. Only one award will be approved per annum. Should there be no suitable applicant; the award may not be presented. Background The award is named after Commodore Robert Ian Hendy, VRD, CD, QC, D.Sc Mil (1916-1994). Cmrde Hendy joined the RCNVR in 1936. During WWII, he served aboard HMC Ships “Assiniboine”, “Annapolis” and “Prince Robert” as well as HMS Revenge. After the war he continued to serve in the reserves, eventually commanding HMCS York from 1951-1955. In 1955 he was promoted to Commodore and appointed Senior Naval Officer Toronto, a position he held until his retirement in 1962. Cmdre Hendy served in The Navy League of Canada from 1951 until his death in 1994. He was our National President from 1976-1978. A long time promoter of Canada’s maritime interests, Cmdre Hendy was the first recipient of the Admiral’s Medal for Maritime Affairs in 1985 and he received an Honourary Doctorate in Military Sciences from the Royal Military College in 1989. Notable recipients of the award have included VAdm Peter Cairns and VAdm Larry Murray as well as the Honourable Senators William Rompkey and Colin Kenny.

The Hendy Award was first given in 2000 and a couple years later, Rich received the award in recognition of his work producing the book “Operation Apollo - The Golden Age of the Canadian Navy in the War Against Terrorism”.

Pete’s award citation reads “… in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the development of Canada’s Maritime Security in the post-9-11 world.  His exemplary dedication to the safety and welfare of his fellow Canadians is in keeping with the highest principles of the Navy League of Canada.” Of note, following Sept 11, 2001, Captain(N) Avis took over the position of Director Maritime Policy, Operations and Readiness for the Chief of the Maritime Staff in the National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. During this posting, he was the strategic level Operations Officer during Operation APOLLO and became a member of the original Interdepartmental Maritime Security Working Group in Ottawa. Later, in 2003, he published his Masters Thesis as a book: "Comparing National Security Approaches to Maritime Security in the Post 9/11 Era." (Dalhousie Centre for Foreign Studies website).