Robitaille, Joseph Philippe Guy

Date of birth:: October 2nd, 1920 (Lauzon/Lévis/Quebec, Canada)
Date of death:: June 21st, 2014 (Ottawa/Ontario, Canada)
Nationality:: Canadian

Biography

Guy Robitaille joined the militia in 1937 to pursue a military career. During W.W. ll in Sicily, while leading his troops, Dad was wounded 3 times and was subsequently hospitalized for nine months. Later on, after action reports, he was awarded his Military Cross. After recovering from his wounds, Robitaille's career took him throughout North America and Europe. At the end of the war he travelled to Manilla - initially to see an old friend - and created a program that would inform Canadian families of the status of individual POWs, provide POWs with fast cash for essentials, explain the rehabilitation process to the victims, and identify Japanese officers who contravened the rules of war.
After his promotion in 1961 to Lieutenant-Colonel, his career included serving NATO through the Supreme Headquarters Allied
Expeditionary Force in Europe and operations and military intelligence postings in Ottawa. He retired in 1971.
On 21 June, 2014 Guy Robotaille passed away in the Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre, Ottawa.

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Military Cross (MC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant
Unit:: Royal 22e Regiment, 1 Canadian Infantry
Awarded on:: November 4th, 1943

Citation:
"For bravery, courage and leadership in the face of the enemy on the 28 Jul 43 at SANTA MARIA, SICILY. This officer commanded No. 9 Platoon in the daylight attack on point 246 near SANTA MARIA and whilst advancing on the enemy position was wounded in the thigh.
He continued forward up the sheer, bare slope with his men, and was hit again by shrapnel in the right arm. This did not stop him, however, form continuing to lead his platoon.
Just before reaching the summit he was again wounded, this time in the chest, and was unable to continue further, but in spite of three serious wounds he continued to direct his men and encourage them. After finding out that the attack was succesful he insisted that the wounded nearby got medical attention before him."

WO 373/3/21