Paul Wynnyk

Lieutenant General Paul Francis Wynnyk,  (born June 29, 1964) is a former Canadian Army officer. He served from 2016 to 2018 as Commander of the Canadian Army. On July 16, 2018, he became the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, until his retirement in July 2019.

 Early life 
Paul Wynnyk is of Ukrainian descent. He was the grandson of emigrants in Alberta from Radvantsi, Lviv region, in Western Ukraine. He was born in Edmonton on June 29, 1964, and was raised in the village of Breton, Alberta.

Wynnyk attended Royal Roads Military College and the Royal Military College of Canada. He was commissioned into the Canadian Military Engineers in 1986. He became commanding officer of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment in Edmonton in 1997. Then he became the commander of 1 Area Support Group in 2004. Later, he was sent to Combined Security Transition Command in Afghanistan as Assistant Commanding General in March 2009. He went on to be commander of Land Force Western Area in 2010. He became as deputy Commander of the Canadian Army in 2012 and Commander of the Canadian Forces Intelligence Command and Chief of Defence Intelligence in July 2014.

In January 2016, it was announced that he would become Chief of the Army Staff and Commander of the Canadian Army. On July 16, 2018, he was named Vice Chief of the Defence Staff.

In July 2019, he claimed that Chief of the Defence Staff General Jonathan Vance planned to replace him as the Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff with Vice-Admiral Mark Norman. Then he give his resignation from his position.

 Post-military career 
In October 2019, Wynnyk was appointed as Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs for the Government of Alberta.

 Awards and decorations 

100x100px|Canadian Jump Wings

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100x100px22x22pxFile:Special_Service_Medal_Ribbon.pngFile:CPSM_Ribbon.png

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100x100pxFile:CAN Canadian Forces Decoration ribbon with two bars.svg

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RibbonDescriptionNotes80x80pxOrder of Military Merit (CMM) Appointed Commander (CMM) on 26 September 2013
 Appointed Officer (OMM) on 21 September 2006 80x80pxMeritorious Service Medal (MSM) Decoration awarded on 26 April 2011
 Military division80x80pxSouth-West Asia Service Medal with AFGHANISTAN Clasp80x80px22x22pxGeneral Campaign Star South West Asia Ribbon
 1 Rotation BarsSpecial Service Medal with NATO-OTAN ClaspCanadian Peacekeeping Service Medal80x80pxUnited NationsAdvance Mission in Cambodia Medal

 UNAMIC80x80pxUnited NationTransitional Authority in Cambodia Medal

 UNTAC80x80pxUnited NationMission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Medal

 MONUC / MONUSCOQueen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal Decoration awarded in 2012
 Canadian versionCanadian Forces Decoration (CD) with two Clasp for 32 years of servicesAlberta Centennial Medal Decoration awarded in 200580x80pxOrder of Military Merit (Brazil) Decoration awarded 28 July 2018
 Grand Officer level
  Federative Republic of Brazil award80x80pxOrder of Military Merit José María Córdova Decoration awarded 29 September 2018
 Grand Cross level
  Republic of Colombia awardBaryaal Darajaah Uak Medal Decoration awarded 4 February 2011
 Successful 1st Grade
  Islamic Republic of Afghanistan award80x80pxLegion of Merit Decoration awarded 28 May 2011
 Officer level
  United States award
80x80px|Canadian Jump Wings He was a qualified Paratrooper and as such wore the Canadian Forces Jump Wings with Red Maple Leaf
80x80px Command Commendation

 References 

 Other websites 

Category:1963 births
Category:Living people
Category:Canadian military people
Category:People from Edmonton