Matthew Karl Connolly
December xx, 19xx
Stolen-Valour Canada was advised by a number of parties that there was a potential issue with the medals that Mr Matthew Connolly had been photographed wearing.
SVC does not act upon unsubstantiated intelligence or malicious tips that are often initiated as a result of petty jealousy, marital misadventure or, sheer vindictiveness. We will not waste any staff effort on someone’s “gut feel” nor do we do participate in witch hunts. Tipsters must provide evidence (pictures, news articles, social media links) of their concerns before we can move forward.
Prior to investing any research effort into what often becomes an unfounded wild goose chase; we contact named individuals in order to provide them with an opportunity to sort out the reported situation.
Our hope, they would take advantage of our offer to protect his reputation and silence this issue once and for all.
To that end, we asked that Connolly on 14 Feb 2019 to provide us with the documentation that would prove his entitlement to wear the Special Service Medal (NATO) and the NATO Non-article 5 Medal.
The result – Connolly read our communication and told us that the medals he wore were replica medals ordered to replace the originals lost in a house fire. He had advised the medal mounting company of his dates of service / units and, a four medal group consisting of the SSM, CPSM, UNIFICYP and NATO Non Art 5 medals was created.
Connolly’s medal group including the SSM, CPSM, UNFICYP, NATO Non Article 5 Medal and the QDJM. Prior to 6 March 2019.
Unfortunately, the ships (FRASER / HURON) that he claimed to have served in between 1977-1980 did not meet the 180 day threshold for the SSM during the time he said he was a member of the ship’s company.
The NATO Non Art 5 Medal presented a challenge as there is no clasp detailing a particular mission however, that particular medal was created to recognize specific operations that did not occur until many many years after he left the CF…
Connolly’s actual medal group consisting of the CPSM, UNFICYP and QDJM. After the 2 medals he lacked any lawful entitlement to were removed.
Lest We Forget
