TALLINN- The first Estonian has received the NATO Meritorious Service Medal. MajorEero Kinnunen, head of the infantry company's mission in the south of Afghanistan wasdecorated for his commendable service commanding ESTCOY-5, a part of theInternational Security Assistance Force.
Major Kinnunen has been in the defense forces since 1994 and served in BosniaHerzegovina as well as platoon commander in Iraqand company commander in Afghanistan.
According to Bonjour l'Estonie, hehas been appointed infantry inspector with the Army Staff effective from June2008.
Units of the Estonian defense force units have been deployed as part of theNATO mission since 2003. Of those, three Estonian soldiers have been killed and28 wounded.
First awarded in 2003, the NATO Meritorious Service Medal is a way to praiseNATO staff whose personal initiative and dedication went beyond their duty tomake a difference both to their colleagues and NATO.
