The Meritorious Service Medal in either Military or Civil Divisions is awarded for highly professional acts that are of considerable benefit or reflect honour on the Canadian Forces or the nation. It carries the post-nominals “MSM” and ranks immediately after the Medal of Bravery in the Canadian Order of Precedence.
Acting Sub Lieutenant Erin Gravelle, MSM
On July 13, 2007, Erin Gravelle, a former Sea Cadet from RCSCC LION, was serving as a civilian instructor on board the Sail Training Vessel FAIR JEANNE out of Kingston, Ontario. When a fire broke out in the engine room, Erin took charge of the cadets on board and organized a bucket brigade to establish a fire boundary and prevent the spread of the fire.
Her award was gazetted on 2 January 2016 and presented by the Governor General, David Johnston, at a ceremony at the University of British Columbia on March 4th, 2016. As she was a civilian instructor at the time of the incident, her award was in the Civil rather than the Military Division. Erin is currently serving in the Cadet Instructor Cadre in Vancouver, BC.