• Awarded on: March 23, 2005

Corporal Van Tassel was deployed with the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battalion Group, during Operation ATHENA. On January 27, 2004, he was driving the first of a two-vehicle Iltis patrol in southern Kabul when a suicide bomber attacked the second vehicle. In the face of adversity involving death and injury to his comrades, Corporal Van Tassel immediately provided site security ensuring there was no further threat. After conducting a cursory check of all soldiers, ascertaining that one had been killed, he designated a casualty collection point and assisted the wounded to move to that point. He single-handedly provided first aid, protection and comfort to his wounded fellow soldiers. He remained at the scene until the body of his fallen comrade was extracted from the vehicle and then escorted the body back to Camp Julien. In the aftermath of this horrific attack, Corporal Van Tassel displayed loyalty, dedication and professionalism, bringing credit to the Canadian Forces and to Canada.