Why wasn't Sgt. Patrick Tower awarded the Victoria Cross?

Question

The man is a bona fide Canadian hero, and was awarded the first-ever Star of Military Valour. http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lfwa/valour_tower.htm

I'm very happy Canadian Forces recognized him, but why deny him the honor of becoming the first Canadian awarded the VC since WWII?

The New Zealanders recently awarded their first VC in over half a century for an act which, though courageous and worthy of the honor, was no more so than that of Sgt. Tower. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10482443

Is this simply another instance of Canada trying to downplay its Commonwealth roots and establish itself as more "independent"? If so, I think it's misguided in the extreme.

Answer 1

Hallo Benito,

Everybody is entitled to their own opinion of course.

But it seems the "powers that be" in Canada did not deem the service to have merited the highest award.

But it has to be further pointed out that Canada, Australia and New Zealand versions of the Victoria Cross are only connected to the British Version in name only.

Victoria Cross for Australia:
Instituted 1991

Victoria Cross for Canada:
Instituted 1 January 1993.

Victoria Cross For New Zealand:
Instituted September 20th 1999

While they look similar to the British Awards they are independent of the British Victoria Cross, and granted by the respective countries.

So that blows your "downplaying" their Commonwealth roots theory out of the water.