An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News | Dec. 29, 2015

DLA employee receives Canadian Meritorious Service Medal

By Chris Erbe

DLA’s Eugene Shearer received Canada’s Meritorious Service Medal on Dec. 15 for his contributions as chief of the Combined Joint Logistics Branch of Regional Command South, Afghanistan, in 2010 and 2011, while serving as a colonel in the U.S. Army. Canada’s ambassador to the United States, Gary Doer, presented the medal at the Canadian embassy in Washington, D.C.  Shearer, now retired from active duty, is the executive officer to the executive director of DLA Logistics Operations.

“It was a great honor to be recognized by our closest neighbor and NATO member for actions in Afghanistan,” said Shearer. “Ambassador Doer was very gracious in taking the time to present this award.”

In his role as director of sustainment, CJ4, for the International Security Assistance Force Regional Command South, Shearer was responsible for all the sustainment coordination and operations for the Canadian forces known as Task Force Kandahar.

“Col. Shearer’s leadership was vital to Canada’s operational success in Afghanistan,” said Ambassador Doer. “I was honored today to present the Meritorious Service Medal to Col. Shearer on behalf of the governor general of Canada and to thank him for his service on behalf of Canadians.”

The citation for the medal reads:
Col. Shearer, of the United States Army, was a true champion for Canada as Sustainment Enterprise Director and Chief of the Combined Joint Logistics Branch within Regional Command (South) Headquarters from May 2010 to June 2011.  Consistently employing our soldiers in key positions, he was crucial to the Canadian Contingent’s integration into the Headquarters and ensured Canada received essential support during a critical period of mission transition. Col. Shearer’s superb leadership was vital to operational success and helped preserve Canada’s legacy in Afghanistan.
Shearer retired from the U.S. Army after more than 23 years of active duty service in October 2014. His military service included 43 months deployed in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and service as the chief of current operations for the U.S. Army G-4 in the Pentagon.

The Meritorious Service Medal was created in 1991 and recognizes individuals—Canadian and foreign, military and civilian—who have carried out meritorious acts bringing benefit and honor to Canada.