Soldiers Honoured For Croatian Battle

19 WING COMOX - Two 19 Wing members who fought in the Medak Pocket were recognized Wednesday for their role in the fiercest action Canadian troops had seen since the Korean War. British Columbia's Lieutenant Governor, the Honorable Iona Campagnolo, presented the Commander-In-Chief Commendation to Master Cpl. Blane Kilback and Cpl. Tom Young at Wing Headquarters. The presentation was made on behalf of the Right Honorable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada and Commander-In-Chief of the Canadian Forces. Clarkson developed the award a year ago to recognize the outstanding service of Canadian Forces in times of conflict under direct enemy fire. The pair earned the commendation for their actions in the Former Yugoslavia while serving with the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group on Operation Harmony. At the time, 2PPCLI was serving with the United Nations Protection Force
(UNPROFOR) under a UN mandate. Its task was to implement the latest cease-fire agreement between Croatian Army troops and Serbian irregular forces. In September 1993, the unit advanced into the disputed Medak Pocket in southern Croatia, inserting themselves between the warring factions. Suddenly, Croatian Army troops opened fire on them. For an entire afternoon and sporadically into the night, the Canadians became targets, facing incoming 20 mm cannon fire, heavy machine guns, and rocket-propelled grenades. The peacekeeping mission had turned into a war-fighting scenario. Some of the firefights lasted for minutes, others lasted more than an hour. When it was over, four Canadians were injured and 27 Croatian troops were dead. However, the story does not stop here. Once the battle was over, the Canadians resumed their peacekeeping duties, aiding the individuals who only moments before had been trying to kill them. Thanks to the Patricias' intervention, ethnic cleansing in the area came to a stop For its heroic efforts, French General Cot awarded 2PPCLI the United Nations Force Commander's Commendation, the first of its kind. Canada is now recognizing the contribution of the personnel who took part in the battle with the Commander-In-Chief commendation. Master Cpl. Kilback and Cpl. Young are just a few of the soldiers who have been honored.