Second SAS Afghan Victoria Cross for heroic charge.
Spartan613
I'm especially pleased that this VC was awarded for closing with and killing
the enemy.
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"God is not on the side of the big battalions, but of those who shoot the
best". Voltaire..
" THE act of extreme courage that earned Australia's latest SAS hero the
Victoria Cross was similar to the storming of a Japanese machinegun post by
previous VC winner Edward Kenna in the jungles of Papua New Guinea during
World War II.
The Special Air Service Regiment soldier, identified so far as "Lance
Corporal Ben", will receive his Victoria Cross from Governor-General Quentin
Bryce at a ceremony in Perth on Sunday.
It is understood the soldier has already won the Medal for Gallantry in
2006.
He is the second SAS soldier to win the VC in two years. In September 2008,
then Trooper Mark Donaldson received the top award for protecting wounded
soldiers under heavy enemy fire and then dashing across 80m of open ground
to rescue a wounded Afghan interpreter.
The new VC soldier was recommended for the award for his actions during a
fierce gun battle last October in the Shah Wali Kot region of northern
Kandahar, a key stronghold of diehard Taliban militants. Senior Defence
sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Australian the soldier
was in his 30s and was born in Western Australia.
News Limited newspapers report today that the soldier, described as a
specialist sniper, charged headlong into Taliban machinegun fire, and within
minutes three enemy guns had been silenced and numerous Taliban fighters
killed.
"He just tore into the enemy," one of the soldier's friends was quoted as
saying.
"He is the epitome of the Spartan soldier. It was only a matter of time
before he would demonstrate his true ability."
One army insider said the soldier displayed remarkable courage in a
situation similar to that faced by Kenna, who, alone and armed with a Bren
light machinegun, stormed a Japanese bunker at Wewak, and then, after
running out of ammunition, picked up a rifle and shot dead several Japanese
troops trying to outflank him. Kenna's actions cleared the way for his
company to advance.
The Victorian-born Kenna died in July 2009.
Queensland-born Keith Payne, one of only two living Australian VC winners,
reacted enthusiastically when he was told of the latest award.
"He must be a live one," said the 77-year-old, who earned his medal for
extraordinary heroism during the Vietnam War.
Mr Payne offered the following advice to Corporal "Ben", who also served in
East Timor.
"The corporal's life will be changed forever and he should not let it affect
his character," Mr Payne said.
"He should remember to wear it with pride for others. He will now be public
property and a lot will be expected of him." Little is known about Corporal
Ben's actions, but the Australian Strategic Policy Institute's Afghan
expert, Raspal Khosa, said Shah Wali Kot was Taliban heartland, a strategic
area long the site of operations by coalition special forces.
Australian soldiers have now won two of the four VCs so far awarded to
Commonwealth troops in Afghanistan, with a VC also awarded to one British
and one New Zealand soldier.
In the decade that Australian troops have served in Afghanistan they have
won two VCs, compared with four VCs (three awarded posthumously) given in
the Vietnam conflict, from 1962-72. "
atec77
> Well done, that man!
>
> I'm especially pleased that this VC was awarded for closing with and
> killing the enemy.
>
2 metres I heard ?
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Spartan613
news:iharm6$pbd$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
I dunno. Haven't seen or heard anymore as yet.
Bit out of character for a "specialist sniper" (according to the media and
whatever the hell a "specialist sniper" is) to get wet like that.
Still, fortune de guerre, and all.
DC
> I dunno. Haven't seen or heard anymore as yet.
He's 202cm tall (closer enough to 6' 7"). He's just about that wide as
well from what I hear.
> Bit out of character for a "specialist sniper" (according to the media
> and whatever the hell a "specialist sniper" is) to get wet like that.
>
> Still, fortune de guerre, and all.
His good mate Rob Maylor, whose book SAS Sniper was released last year,
describes him as an outstanding soldier: "He has excelled as an operator
in the Regiment, and is also an SAS sniper, but his main calling is as
an assaulter and he is exceptional."
atec77
MM don't want him falling on me then
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