Ministry of Defence
 Printable version
|
 E-mail this to a friend
|
Gallant heroes make history at honours ceremony
The first Bar to the George Medal to be awarded in 26 years is amongst a catalogue of prestigious honours given to brave British Armed Forces personnel.
The posthumous award to Warrant Office Class 2 Gary O'Donnell, who died in September last year whilst attempting to disarm an improvised explosive device, was announced in the presence of his widow Mrs Toni O'Donnell.
WO2 O'Donnell, who at the time of his death already held the George Medal for his work defusing bombs in Iraq, was recommended for the further honour in recognition of his remarkable actions in two separate incidents, in May and July 2008.
On both occasions WO2 O'Donnell - who during his last tour in Afghanistan disposed of more than 50 IEDs - placed himself in immense personal danger in order to protect his comrades.
Another historic moment in today's ceremony was the award of the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross to three members of the same regiment - the first time this has happened. Acting Sergeant Alwyn Stevens, Corporal Robert McClurg and Lance Corporal Jon Toge, all members of the Royal Irish Regiment, demonstrated great personal courage whilst mentoring colleagues from the Afghan National Army in Helmand.
These recipients are amongst more than 100 brave service personnel to be included in Armed Forces Operational Awards List No.32, for the period April to September 2008. Those honoured include members of the British Army's 16 Air Assault Brigade and 4 Mechanised Brigade, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, as well as civilians. Acts of bravery in the operational theatres of Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as in the UK, are recognised.
At today's event the award recipients were congratulated by senior representatives of their services: Rear Admiral Simon Charlier from the Royal Navy, Lieutenant General Sir Graeme Lamb from the Army, and Air Vice Marshall Gregory Bagwell from the Royal Air Force.
A SELECTION OF AWARDS ANNOUNCED
AFGHANISTAN
CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY CROSS
CORPORAL ROBERT WILLIAM KERR McCLURG R IRISH
Corporal
McClurg's calm, selfless leadership style and great personal
courage repeatedly salvaged deteriorating situations, which would
have led to the loss of Afghan National Army and UK lives.
ACTING SERGEANT ALWYN JOHN STEVENS R IRISH
As an Afghan
National Army platoon mentor Stevens displayed extraordinary
courage, personally engaging and neutralizing several enemy
ensuring they never again appeared in such strength in the area
during Op HERRICK.
LANCE CORPORAL JONE BRUCE TOGE R IRISH
After his commander
was incapacitated Toge took command of the Operational Mentoring
Liaison Team which was supporting the Afghan National Army to the
south of Musa QaI'eh. He gallantly led his men and personally
extracted four injured soldiers from a killing area as well as the
lead Afghan National Army sergeant following a RPG strike.
BAR TO GEORGE MEDAL
WARRANT OFFICER CLASS 2 GARY JAMES O'DONNELL GM RLC (Killed
in Action)
During his tour in Afghanistan O'Donnell
disposed of over fifty improvised explosive devices. He repeatedly
placed himself in immense personal danger and saved an untold
amount of lives with his skill and selfless determination.
GEORGE MEDAL
STAFF SERGEANT STUART WALTER DICKSON RLC
As an Improvised
Explosive Device Disposal Operator and shouldering the greatest
risks alone, time after time, Dickson's rendered safe more
than 40 explosive devices in his four month deployment. His
conduct during his tour was the epitome of professionalism and
personal bravery.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER
LIEUTENANT COLONEL NICHOLAS ROBERT MACRAE BORTON MBE SCOTS
No
matter how demanding the circumstances, Borton's inspiring
example while commanding two battlegroups in Helmand Province,
lifted the morale of his soldiers and imbued his commanders with
the fighting spirit and resilience to defeat a ruthless enemy.
MILITARY CROSS
CAPTAIN RUSSELL ARCHER RE
Isolated and under extreme pressure
Archer took command of a company sized group of disparate Afghan
Forces and fought a fierce defensive battle. His remarkable
bravery and exemplary leadership under regular, sustained and
intense fire was nothing short of exceptional.
MAJOR ROBERT MICHAEL ARMSTRONG RA
While mentoring the Afghan
National Army vehicle patrol Armstrong showed consistent bravery
and inspirational leadership. As a result of his calm leadership
under fire, losses were prevented and the lives of those injured
were saved.
2nd LIEUTENANT ALEXANDER BRAMPTON CHARLES BARCLAY SCOTS
As
platoon commander of B Coy 5 SCOTS and despite a shot in the leg,
Barclay's personal bravery, determination and leadership of
the very highest order ensured that three men escaped a Taliban
ambush alive.
MAJOR NICHOLAS GEORGE CALDER SCOTS
Calder led D Coy 5 SCOTS
through the most intense dismounted combat experienced in the
battlegroup northwest area of operations. He provided an example
of unflinching physical and moral courage and ensured the security
of Musa Qal'eh.
PRIVATE PAUL JAMES COLEMAN PARA
Whilst commanding a fire
support team Coleman repeatedly placed himself in full view of the
enemy in order to ensure the safety of the men he commanded.
CORPORAL JAMES STEPHEN COOKE PARA
Despite the obvious threat
to his own life, Cooke's immediate intervention, disregard
for his own personal safety and unflinching courage, undoubtedly
saved the life of a comrade who was in mortal danger.
MAJOR ADAM GUY DAWSON PARA
Dawson has frequently been exposed
to intense enemy fire and has proved an inspirational and
determined leader, imbuing his young soldiers with his energy,
spirit and resolve.
MAJOR RUSSELL DAVID LEWIS PARA
Resolute in defence, tenacious
and courageous in attack Lewis he has set an outstanding example
to B Company at significant personal risk and has been an
inspiration to all ranks.
SERGEANT STEPHEN McCONNELL PARA
Whilst in command of 8
Platoon McConnell demonstrated decisive leadership and outstanding
bravery. Ignoring his own safety he successfully led his men
through a large, well coordinated ambush.
MAJOR JOHN STUART McDONALD PARA
Whilst covering the absence
of the Company commander at Forward Operating Base Inkerman,
McDonald skilfully manoeuvred his platoons to suppress the enemy
and moved decisively to defeat the Insurgents. He displayed
exceptional and overt gallantry in the face of the enemy and
inspired the men around him.
RANGER ALAN WILLIAM OWENS R IRISH
As a mentor for the Afghan
National Army Owens carried out courageous individual actions in
the face of the enemy and engendered a level of empathy with the
local population which no amount of fighting could establish.
CAPTAIN GRAHAM DAVID BRADLEY RAINEY R IRISH
Rainey's
distinguished leadership and tactical skill whilst commanding the
Operational Mentoring Liaison Team patrol base enhanced security
North of Musa Qal'eh. He ensured that only enemy were
neutralised and achieved extraordinary respect amongst the Afghan
National Army and his own team.
CORPORAL SHAUN WHITEHEAD SCOTS
Whitehead's performance,
initiative and steadfastness in the face of the enemy had an
immediate positive effect on all those involved in the battle,
allowing Delta Company to make significant gains.
DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
FLIGHT LIEUTENANT ALEXANDER MARC DUNCAN RAF
Duncan displayed
consummate professionalism and strength of character while
recovering an aircraft with a VIP party onboard and pressing ahead
with an air assault in the face of intense fire to ensure the
force protection of the battlegroup.
QUEEN'S GALLANTRY MEDAL
CAPTAIN LIAM CHARLES FITZGERALD-FINCH RLC
Fitzgerald-Finch
showed exceptional courage and tireless commitment, ensuring the
safely of a convoy on route as part of the Joint Force Explosive
Ordnance Disposal Group in Helmand province.
STAFF SERGEANT JAMES ALEXANDER McCORMICK RE
McCormick is
awarded for his bravery and complete disregard for his own life
whilst saving the life of an unknown colleague who was trapped
under a 35 tonne vehicle.
CORPORAL WILLIAM GLYNDWR OWEN PARA
After a patrol struck an
anti-tank mine Owen selflessly and without hesitation raced to
reach casualties and administer first aid despite the obvious
threat of further mines. He is awarded for his selfless dedication
and devotion to duty.
IRAQ
MILITARY CROSS
CAPTAIN JEREMY ALEXANDER CROSSLEY RIFLES
Despite steadily
intensifying and accurate small arms fire, Capt Crossley remained
with a casualty on a roof to control the extraction of the
casualty by a pair of US Blackhawk helicopters.
SERGEANT CHRISTOPHER PAUL RICHARDS RDG
In spite of
significant threats, Sgt Richards commanded a lead tank, with
outstanding nerve, determination and exemplary gallantry in the
face of the enemy.
DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS
FLIGHT LIEUTENANT KEVIN HARRIS RAF
Whilst under significant
pressure, Harris led his crew in extracting 30 very seriously
wounded personnel and a significant number of other casualties. He
operated his aircraft in an exemplary manner despite substantial
indirect fire and surface to air threats.
NON-COMBATANT GALLANTRY
AIR FORCE CROSS
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER MARTIN NICHOLAS LANNI RN
Lanni is
awarded for his bravery on 28th May 2007 in rescuing climbers by
helicopter from Ben Nevis in severe weather conditions.
LIEUTENANT MICHAEL RAOUL PAULET RN
Paulet's contribution
as on scene and aircraft commander was absolutely vital in terms
of the overall success and safe execution of a very dangerous and
challenging rescue mission.
FLIGHT LIEUTENANT LEE ROLAND TURNER RAF
Turner's
courage, leadership and outstanding flying skills in exceptionally
demanding conditions were in the finest traditions of the service;
and saved the lives of 17 people.
QUEEN'S GALLANTRY MEDAL
LEADING AIRCREWMAN KEVIN REGAN RN
Regan, utterly focused on
rescuing a vessel's crew, disconnected from a winch in the
knowledge that the vessel may capsize with little warning due to
the 'mountainous seas'.
MASTER AIRCREWMAN RICHARD MARK TAYLOR RAF
Taylor showed
great bravery and put himself in grave danger time after time
whilst recovering 8 casualties from the ferry
'Riverdance' then later returning to rescue the
remaining 9 crew.
