Post War British Gallantry Awards From 1945 To Present

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Although not British:

From the bench to bikers: honours flow for our national champions

• From: The Australian
• June 13, 2011

Several special forces soldiers have received decorations for operations so secret that the Australian Defence Force has refused to release details even four years after the battles took place.

A soldier identified only as Corporal B was awarded the Medal for Gallantry for heroism in action in hazardous circumstances in Afghanistan in 2008.

From the bench to bikers: honours flow for our national champions | The Australian

 

BBC News - Honours for defence personnel in Afghanistan and Libya

 

Medic’s bravery during Taliban attack honoured

A Platoon medic’s actions in Helmand, which saw him push forward and treat his fellow soldiers who had been injured after a Taliban rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack, have earned him a Military Cross. A softly spoken soldier of The Mercian Regiment, Corporal Craig Adkin was on his second tour of Afghanistan last July when he was tasked to act as platoon medic for A Company as they took part in Operation PANTHER’S CLAW. As part of the operation, Corporal Adkin was on foot patrol with his Company in Babaji, Helmand province when RPGs began raining down on them and several of his colleagues were immediately injured, caught in the blast and hail of shrapnel debris. For Cpl Adkin this was the signal to get to work and his citation states that he immediately pushed forward to locate the casualties, exposing himself to great danger in the process: "At the end of the day it’s my job," Cpl Adkin said. "I have to get to my place of work and my place of work is where the casualties are." Recalling the incident, Cpl Adkin explained what happened on the day: "I had to get up and run forward. "I can remember the RPG hitting the tree. As I was coming around the bund line [small embankment in a field] the RPG hit the tree directly parallel to me so I had a quick look at myself to make sure that I wasn’t hit. I remember I laughed when I realised I was OK. "Then I ran in to cover and just as I got in to cover I heard the casualty screaming." The citation for his Military Cross states that Cpl Adkin, having assessed the situation, decided to run across 100 metres of open ground under fire in order to reach and treat the casualties: "I just got up and run towards the shouting, got to the casualty and gave initial first aid," Cpl Adkin explained. "We were still out in the open then so I dragged him down onto the ground and carried on with the first aid. "I tried to put a drip in and as I did, two rounds whizzed past in between us; so it was a case of OK grab him and drag him into cover. "It was then that a couple of other lads came over and helped me and we CasEvaced [evacuated] him back to a safe area and from there back to the HLS [helicopter landing site]." Knowing that further casualties remained in the killing area, Cpl Adkin realised he had to go out again in the line of fire to ’do his job’ and tend to the casualties. Cpl Adkin summed it up: "When I was down there it came over the net that we still had a casualty out in the field so I had to run back over open ground to get to the other casualty and then get him back. It was quite an interesting day. "It is certainly something that I won’t forget in a hurry. But there were days like that all the time when we came under contact." His citation records that due to his actions that day all casualties were safely extracted and the insurgent position destroyed. It goes on to add that his selfless and courageous actions have undoubtedly saved lives during the tour and he has placed himself in the most dangerous areas throughout. On hearing he would receive the Military Cross, Cpl Adkin’s first reaction was shock. At first he was unsure why he was being singled out for an honour: "I’m proud that I have got it but I don’t feel that I won it as an individual," he said. "I feel we won it as a troop as all the lads work hard as a group. "That day was a pretty rough day for us, we took a lot of casualties in one hit so it was a lot of running back and forwards to get casualties off the ground. "I’ve spoken to a couple of the guys who had treatment and came back out to us. They all say that I deserve it and seem genuinely pleased but as I say it is an award for all of us." Later on in the tour, Cpl Adkin himself became a casualty, losing his right leg from the knee down in a grenade attack while he was helping to build a forward operating base: "Two hand grenades were thrown over the wall," he explained. "The first one hit my leg... the second grenade landed a bit further away. They both came over in quick succession." The soldier also suffered shrapnel wounds and had to have one of his thumbs re-attached but is now walking again and positive about the future: "I am getting there. I’m looking forward to getting my running leg and just advancing. It’s only a flesh wound," Corporal Adkin said. A total of 146 members of the Armed Forces and one civilian received honours and awards as part of the Operational Awards List No 34, which covers actions during the period from 1 April to 30 September. The Military Cross is awarded in recognition of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land.

I served with Pip in Garmsir, Afghanistan in 2007 and he's one hell of a lovely and selfless guy.

 

A British soldier who died in southern Afghanistan last year as he protected his colleagues from a grenade blast is to be awarded the Victoria Cross.

The UK's top gallantry medal will go to L/Cpl James Ashworth, 23, of Kettering, Northamptonshire, who was serving with 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.


BBC News - Victoria Cross for Afghan hero L/Cpl James Ashworth

 

A British soldier who died in southern Afghanistan last year as he protected his colleagues from a grenade blast is to be awarded the Victoria Cross.

The UK's top gallantry medal will go to L/Cpl James Ashworth, 23, of Kettering, Northamptonshire, who was serving with 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.

BBC News - Victoria Cross for Afghan hero L/Cpl James Ashworth

 

Hi,

Sgt Bailey 58 Sqn RAF Regiment.

MERT citation. (mention in dispatches)

Awarded for bravery during mert rescues during Herrick 14.

See Sgt bailey 58 sqn mert citation. (mention in dispaches) US Marine pick up - YouTube


Regards, Mick D.

 

Hi,

Cpl Hayden 1 Squadron, RAF Regiment, Military Cross.

See RAF corporal who rescued dying friend in Iraq is first airman to be awarded Military Cross | Mail Online

An RAF soldier who charged through a hail of enemy bullets to rescue a fatally wounded comrade in Iraq has become the first airman ever to be awarded the Military Cross.

Corporal David Hayden of 1 Squadron RAF Regiment showed 'the most outstanding courage' during a fierce firefight outside Basra last August.

The incident, known as the 'Battle of Al-Waki', came when his patrol was ambushed, outnumbered and pinned down.

He dashed across open ground under heavy fire from an estimated 50 gunmen to try to save a friend, opening fire and killing at least one of the enemy as he ran.

Leading Aircraftman Martin Beard, aged 20, was shot by insurgent gunmen and died from his injuries - despite Cpl Hayden's astonishing bravery in carrying him to safety.

After receiving his medal from the Queen at Buckingham Palace yesterday, Cpl Hayden, from Spalding in Lincolnshire, insisted he was 'no hero', and dedicated the award to other members of his unit.

It is the first time the Military Cross has been awarded to an RAF airman. The medal was previously only awarded to officers, but was made available to other ranks in the early 1990s.


Regards, Mick D.

 

Hi,

SAC Wharton 1 Squadron RAF Regiment. MID.

See RAF Regiment -X News Page for the RAF Regiment, all the latest Royal Air Force Regiment News

"Iraq Al-Waki."

While LAC Beard was being rescued, SAC Wharton was the heavy machine-gunner providing covering fire from one of just two weapons-mounted Land Rovers in the area.

As such he was completely exposed in his unarmoured, open-topped vehicle. Suddenly he was hit in the chest by a ricocheting enemy round, knocking him from off his vehicle.

Despite this he recovered his position and continued to provide accurate covering fire for almost an hour while his injured colleagues were rescued and others exited the fire fight.

His citation read: “There can be no question that Wharton’s action was instrumental in contributing to the eventual withdrawal of the enemy, the successful evacuation of the casualties and the safe extraction of his colleagues.

Without Wharton’s exceptional courage, determination and skill, the outcome could have been very different.”


Regards, Mick D.

 

Hi,

Flt Lt Carter, RAF Regiment, Military Cross. Afghanistan.

See RAF Regiment News Page 2

"II Sqn RAF Regiment"

"On 4 June 2006, Flight Lieutenant Matthew Carter of the Royal Air Force Regiment was deployed with 16 Assault Brigade on an operation against a suspected Taliban compound outside the town of Now Zad in Helmand Province.

During the first of three contacts, he coordinated and directed close and accurate Attack Helicopter fire support with devastating results for Taliban ground troops.

During the last contact, he left his vehicle fearlessly exposing himself to significant risk as he forced his way to the front of the fire-fight to join the forward troops.

This enabled him to direct aerial cannon fire against a determined enemy 30 metres in front of him.

This risk was essential given the ferocious weight of the incoming fire from the Taliban.

"His direction of these engagements proved critical, destroying the enemy location completely on one occasion. He remained with the lead dismounted elements of Patrols Platoon and took part in the immediate compound clearance.

During this time Carter repeatedly exposed himself to a significant chance of being killed and, because of this gallant behaviour in supporting his unit he enabled the Patrols Platoon to regain the initiative.

"On 14 July Carter participated in a Battle Group operation to capture or kill a high value Taliban leader.

During the insertion to the helicopter landing site the first wave of Chinook helicopters were heavily engaged by Taliban machine gun and RPG fire causing the aircraft to lift off again, after only 20 seconds on the ground.

Fearing being left behind on the aircraft, Carter jumped some 15 feet from the tail ramp into the darkness, realising the vital role he had to play in calling in air support to suppress the enemy.

Immediately he got into the cover of a nearby ditch and called in an aircraft to destroy the principal threat of an enemy machine gun. He controlled the aircraft's heavy attacks, which were close to his own location and destroyed the Taliban position only a few metres away.

This significant and gallant contribution by Flight Lieutenant Carter proved to be decisive by allowing the remaining aircraft to land the rest of the Battle Group to complete the mission successfully. For this act of selfless bravery he is awarded the Military Cross."


Regards, Mick D.

 

British soldier to receive posthumous VC for bravery in Afghanistan
A British soldier who gave his life to save his comrades is to be awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery in Afghanistan.
Lance Corporal James Ashworth, 23, was on patrol with the Reconnaissance Platoon of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province when they were engaged in battle with Taliban fighters on June 13 last year.
British soldier to receive posthumous VC for bravery in Afghanistan - Telegraph

 

Bravery honours are to be awarded to 15 Royal Marines and one soldier from Arbroath-based 45 Commando for their actions in Afghanistan.Two of the heroism awards are going to Marine Steven Nethery and Cpl Bradley Malone who were both awarded Conspicuous Gallantry Crosses (CGCs).
Marine Nethery, 23, from Edinburgh, dragged an injured colleague out of the firing line and carried him to safety.
Cpl Malone, 23, from Newcastle, ran into a battlefield to save a comrade.
Marine Nethery's troop had been ambushed by Taliban fighters and a fellow marine was shot in the leg.
The marine ran to him, unarmed, dragged him out of the firing line, salvaged his equipment to prevent it falling into enemy hands, then carried him 250 yards to safety. (From 2009).

 

James Ashworth: VC for the guardsman who gave his life to protect his comrades | Mail Online

Sorry already posted but a few added pics
regards lofty

 

Hi,

As well as Sgt Geddes MC.

Not forgetting:

Mention in Despatches

- Cpl K LEE – 51 Sqn RAF Regt - For Gallantry


Joint Commander’s Commendations

- Sqn Ldr K M McMURDO – OC 51 Sqn RAF Regt.

- Cpl L G CHIVERS – 2 Sqn RAF Regt.

- Cpl M T SMYTH – 51 Sqn RAF Regt.

- LCpl P STURGESS – 2 Sqn RAF Regt.


Bloody well done all.

Per Ardua.

Regards, Mick D.

 

Hi,

I found this photograph on one of my systems, I downloaded it off ServicePals website courtesy of Bill Bailey.

Bill Bailey was an RAF MT Mechanic who served with the RAF Regiment, Aden Protectorate Levies (APL) and said he often drove a Ferret Armoured Car on Ops because of a shortage of regiment drivers.

The picture "RAF-Regt-Legend.jpg" shows some of the crews and the medals they where awarded for gallantry.


The text in plain

"Amongst the many awards for gallant conduct awarded to the RAF Regiment are those to Sargent John Molyneux MM.

Sargent Molyneux served with No 10 (Armoured Car) Squadron, Aden Protectorate Levies and in one particular engagement against Yemeni Army Forces in February 1957 at Neg`d Merghid in the Wadu Mablaqa on the northern frontier with the Yemen, Flight Lieutant L G Calvert and Sargent Molyneux won the Military Cross and Military Medal respectively.

The medals won by Sargent Molyneux consist of

The Military Medal.
1939 - 45 Star.
Africa Star.
Italy Star.
War Medal 1939 -45.
General Service Medal with Arabian Peninsula Clasp"


The picture quality is as I downloaded.

Regards, Mick D.