Recipient of Meritorious Service Cross
(posthumous), Sacrifice Medal (posthumous)
Canadian Forces Decoration (CD)

Chief Warrant Officer and the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group, based in Petawawa, Ontario. Aged 46. Survived by his wife Jacqueline and their three children Robert Jr. (Jennifer), Jocelyn (fiancé Eric Ranger), and Michael (Leandra Reid). Both sons are also members of the Canadian Forces. Also surviving are his parents, Vincent and Mabel Girouard, and brothers, Peter Girouard and Charles Girouard.

He and Cpl Albert Storm were killed when their Bison light armoured personnel carrier was attacked by a suicide bomber as they traveled near Kandahar Airfield base in Afghanistan.

CWO Girouard was born in Bathhurst NB and joined the militia at age 17. He served 29 years in such places as Germany, Kosovo and Bosnia as well as postings with NATO in various European countries. He started his tour in Afghanistan in August and had just enjoyed a three-week leave with his family in Canada before returning to duty six days before his death. He was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration (CD).

Funeral service with military honours held at CFB Petawawa on Dec. 6, 2006.

On October 2, 2007 the Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada announced awards for gallantry and devotion to duty in combat. CWO Girouard was posthumously awarded a Meritorious Service Cross. The citation reads: "throughout his tour of duty, up to the moment he was killed in action on November 27, 2006, he led from the front, sharing the dangers and hardships associated with combat operations. He contributed greatly to the Battle Group's fighting spirit, which led to the defeat of the enemy during Operation MEDUSA. Chief Warrant Officer Girouard's outstanding leadership, professionalism and courage brought singular credit to the Canadian Forces and to Canada."

*Thanks to Mike Thompson for the photo.