1945 - WW2 - Medal group belonging to Colonel Curtis Alden Greenleaf, MC, CD (1916-1994) - Final Wartime Officer of the 22nd Canadian Armoured Regiment (CGG) during WW2 (1945-1946)

Object/Artifact

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Musée Canadian Grenadier Guards Museum

Name/Title

1945 - WW2 - Medal group belonging to Colonel Curtis Alden Greenleaf, MC, CD (1916-1994) - Final Wartime Officer of the 22nd Canadian Armoured Regiment (CGG) during WW2 (1945-1946)

Description

1945 - WW2 - Medal Group belonging to Colonel Curtis Alden Greenleaf, MC, CD (1916-1994) - Final Wartime Officer of the 22nd Canadian Armoured Regiment (CGG) during WW2 (1945-1946) MEDALS: WW2 King George VI Military Cross WW2 1939-1945 Star (Campaign Medal) WW2 France and Germany Star (Campaign Medal) WW2 Defence Medal - Canadian Issue (silver) WW2 Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with overseas bar WW2 War medal 1939-1945 - Canadian Issue (silver) with Mentioned in Despatches Oak leaf 1973-1975 International Commission of Control and Supervision Vietnam (ICCS) Medal 1967 Canadian Centennial Medal 1949 King George VI Canadian Decoration Born in Montreal in 1916, Curtis Alden Greenleaf gave up a new job as a banker when he joined the Canadian Grenadier Guards in September 1939. He secured a commission when the unit mobilized for active service in June 1940. He went overseas with an advance party in May 1942 and became adjutant a year later. He was the only original officer to serve throughout the Northwest Europe campaign and earned the Military Cross for “personal courage and unshakable determination.” When Major E.A.C. Amy took over from the wounded Lieutenant-Colonel H.A. Smith in February 1945, Greenleaf rose to second-in-command. After VE-Day, Amy was recalled to Canada, and Greenleaf became the final wartime commanding officer of the Grenadier Guards. The unit newspaper, The ‘52 Natural, reported: “‘It couldn’t have been better,’ that’s great, he started with us, fought all the wat through and its no more than right he should be the one to take us home,’ ‘fine show,’ a fighting leader from a fighting Regt.’ Such were the comments heard on all sides and in all ranks.” Greenleaf led the regiment home to Montreal in January 1946. Making a career in the army, from 1956 to 1958, he served as commanding officer of the Lord Strathcona’s Horse. After membership on the Vietnam truce commission, he was assigned as a military attaché for the Canadian embassy in Moscow. There he became the target of a diplomatic controversy and Soviet propaganda.

Created By

Bertille L. Hurel

Create Date

July 14, 2022

Updated By

Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.

Update Date

May 7, 2025