I spoke of this last year, I had a positive feeling, but history was against me. This may be the first of several VCs to come out of Afghanistan.
Today it was announced that Mark Donaldson was awarded the Victoria Cross in a ceremony this morning.
I am just so proud of this fine Soldier.
Trooper Donaldson was serving with the SAS in Oruzgan province in Afghanistan on September 2 last year when his unit was hit by an ambush, wounding nine Australians.
He was awarded the Victoria Cross for “most conspicuous acts of gallantry in a circumstance of great peril”, according to the citation.
“During a prolonged and effective enemy ambush on numerous occasions he deliberately drew the enemy’s fire in order to allow wounded soldiers to be moved to safety.
“As the battle raged around him he saw that a coalition force interpreter was lying motionless on exposed ground.
“With complete disregard for his own safety, on his initiative and alone, Trooper Donaldson ran back 80 metres across exposed ground to rescue the interpreter and carry him back to vehicle.
“Trooper Donaldson then rejoined his patrol and continued to engage the enemy while remaining exposed to heavy enemy fire.”
His citation said he "displayed exceptional courage in circumstances of great peril" and saved the life of the interpreter.
Defence Force head Air Chief Marshall Angus Houston said as the highest ranking military officer Trooper Donaldson was the only man he would salute and did so proudly.
The full story here http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,,24788091-25837,00.html
I should add that at last, Keith Payne VC (Vietnam 1969) has a buddy to drink with at long last! Heres Keith below Mrs Donaldson, about to take the Trooper out for a beer!
I have just seen the news coverage and it seems that Ted Kenna the only other living Australian VC winner was too crook to attend the ceremony, but Im sure he will get well soon so he can have a drink too.
The citation is brief, as are most of the CMOH recipients for some strange reason. I guess it is tradition. However, Donaldson VC moved from position to position early in the ambush to regain the initiative engaging the enemy with 66mm and 84mm anti armour weapons and his M4 rifle. He then deliberately and repeatedly exposed himself to enemy rifle, machine gun and RPG rounds to draw fire from his 9 wounded comrades. This act alone allowed enough time for the wounded to be evacuated to safety. After that he saw a wounded afghan interpreter and ran 80 metres there and 80 metres back with the afghani interpreter on his back under fire.
How he emerged unscathed is a miracle.
A total of 97 Victoria Crosses have been awarded to Australians since the Boer War. I would say a total of 3 million have served.
A pic from the TV of Chief of the ADF Vice Admiral Angus Houston Saluting the Trooper (equal to a private). Note the Trooper is not wearing head dress, so can not return the salute. He will of course return the Salute when back on duty, but everyone will salute him where conditions and practicality allow. A nice bit of tradition there.
Mark Donaldson VC was very humble. "Just doing my job as was everyone else on the day".
Any of you who have been in the military know that if theres two people shooting at you in open ground, you dont have much of a chance. To have dozens do so for several minutes so that your mates can be saved is incredible.
Today it was announced that Mark Donaldson was awarded the Victoria Cross in a ceremony this morning.
I am just so proud of this fine Soldier.
Trooper Donaldson was serving with the SAS in Oruzgan province in Afghanistan on September 2 last year when his unit was hit by an ambush, wounding nine Australians.
He was awarded the Victoria Cross for “most conspicuous acts of gallantry in a circumstance of great peril”, according to the citation.
“During a prolonged and effective enemy ambush on numerous occasions he deliberately drew the enemy’s fire in order to allow wounded soldiers to be moved to safety.
“As the battle raged around him he saw that a coalition force interpreter was lying motionless on exposed ground.
“With complete disregard for his own safety, on his initiative and alone, Trooper Donaldson ran back 80 metres across exposed ground to rescue the interpreter and carry him back to vehicle.
“Trooper Donaldson then rejoined his patrol and continued to engage the enemy while remaining exposed to heavy enemy fire.”
His citation said he "displayed exceptional courage in circumstances of great peril" and saved the life of the interpreter.
Defence Force head Air Chief Marshall Angus Houston said as the highest ranking military officer Trooper Donaldson was the only man he would salute and did so proudly.
The full story here http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,,24788091-25837,00.html
I should add that at last, Keith Payne VC (Vietnam 1969) has a buddy to drink with at long last! Heres Keith below Mrs Donaldson, about to take the Trooper out for a beer!
I have just seen the news coverage and it seems that Ted Kenna the only other living Australian VC winner was too crook to attend the ceremony, but Im sure he will get well soon so he can have a drink too.
The citation is brief, as are most of the CMOH recipients for some strange reason. I guess it is tradition. However, Donaldson VC moved from position to position early in the ambush to regain the initiative engaging the enemy with 66mm and 84mm anti armour weapons and his M4 rifle. He then deliberately and repeatedly exposed himself to enemy rifle, machine gun and RPG rounds to draw fire from his 9 wounded comrades. This act alone allowed enough time for the wounded to be evacuated to safety. After that he saw a wounded afghan interpreter and ran 80 metres there and 80 metres back with the afghani interpreter on his back under fire.
How he emerged unscathed is a miracle.
A total of 97 Victoria Crosses have been awarded to Australians since the Boer War. I would say a total of 3 million have served.
A pic from the TV of Chief of the ADF Vice Admiral Angus Houston Saluting the Trooper (equal to a private). Note the Trooper is not wearing head dress, so can not return the salute. He will of course return the Salute when back on duty, but everyone will salute him where conditions and practicality allow. A nice bit of tradition there.
Mark Donaldson VC was very humble. "Just doing my job as was everyone else on the day".
Any of you who have been in the military know that if theres two people shooting at you in open ground, you dont have much of a chance. To have dozens do so for several minutes so that your mates can be saved is incredible.