An officer killed in an Israeli attack while serving as a UN observer in Lebanon is one of three Canadian soldiers who will be honoured for meritorious service, said a statement Monday from Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean.

Maj. Paeta Hess-von Kruedener will get a posthumous decoration for "outstanding performance and dedication to duty," and for staying at his post until his death.

Maj. Paeta Hess-von Kruedener is shown in an undated photo being presented with his jump certificate. He has been named posthumously as the recipient of the Meritorious Service Cross.

The July 2006 incident — in which Hess-von Keuedener and three other UN observers died — came as Israel fought a short, bloody war with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

The others who will be honoured are alive. They are:

• Lt.-Col. Omer Henry Lavoie, a battalion commander in Operation Medusa, NATO's biggest ground campaign in Afghanistan.
• Warrant Officer Michael Bradley Smith, an instructor who worked with UN and African Union contingents in Ethiopia.

Hess-von Kruedener and Lavoie are to receive the Meritorious Service Cross (Military Division), while Smith will get the Meritorious Service Medal.

Military pallbearers carry the casket of Maj. Paeta Hess-von Kruedener, whose remains returned to Canada on Aug. 4, 2006.
(Fred Chartrand/Canadian Press)

The cross recognizes "a deed or an activity that has been performed in an outstandingly professional manner, or with uncommonly high standards," while the medal recognizes one performed "in a highly professional manner, according to a very high standard."

Valour one element of meritorious service

Marie-Paule Thorn, a Rideau Hall information officer, said neither is to be confused with decorations awarded specifically for valour, such as the Victoria Cross and the Military Medal of Valour.

But valour may one element of the meritorious service being recognized, she told CBC News Online.

In Hess-von Kruedener's case, the decoration is for "outstanding performance and dedication to duty while serving at a United Nations observation post in the Khiam area of southern Lebanon."

Kofi Annan, the UN secretary general at the time of the 2006 attack, initially called the bombardment "an apparently deliberate act." Israel said it was a mistake, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he doubted that Israel would deliberately attack a UN post.

A Rideau Hall statement Monday said that when fighting erupted between Israel and Hezbollah, the Canadian major "knew he could not be evacuated, yet he steadfastly maintained his position while reporting the situation as it presented itself, until his untimely death on July 25, 2006."

Hess-von Kruedener "brought great honour to the Canadian Forces and to the military profession," it said.

In Lavoie's case, the statement noted that from August 2006 to February 2007, he commanded the 1st Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, in southern Afghanistan.

It said he played a leading role in two complex brigade operations, including Operation Medusa, the most significant ground combat operation in NATO's history. His battle group's actions throughout its operational tour set the conditions for thousands of Afghans to return to their homes, the statement said.

"During this period of sustained intense combat, Lt.-Col. Lavoie led from the front, sharing the dangers and harsh living conditions of his troops. His exceptional professionalism and leadership in combat brought great credit to the Canadian Forces, to Canada and to NATO."

Warrant officer cited for leadership

Smith served from May 4 to November 2006 as the senior tactics and weapons maintenance instructor for the Armoured Vehicle General Purpose and Machine Gun course, two critical components of operations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the statement said.

"His outstanding leadership and technical expertise contributed to a significant improvement in the operational effectiveness of UN patrols conducted in some of the world's most unforgiving environmental conditions.

"In a diverse and complex mission, Warrant Officer Smith's dogged determination, technical expertise and strength of character enhanced the operational effectiveness of over 200 African Union soldiers."

A presentation ceremony is to be held later.