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sixtiesrule
| Joined: | Tue Apr 29th, 2008 |
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#1 Posted: Sun Jan 23rd, 2011 07:07 am |
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A special forces soldier who braved enemy fire to save the life of an interpreter caught in a Taliban ambush has become the first Australian in 40 years to be presented with the Victoria Cross.
Trooper Mark Donaldson dashed 80 metres under heavy enemy fire to rescue an injured Afghan interpreter and carry him to safety.
Trooper Donaldson deliberately drew enemy fire away from his wounded comrades during the ambush on Australian, US and Afghan forces in Afghanistan's Uruzgan province on September 2 last year.
The Special Operations Task Group soldier also administered first aid to others who were wounded before rejoining his patrol to continue fighting
Nine Australian soldiers were wounded in the ambush, the highest in one incident since the Vietnam War.
Trooper Donaldson is the first recipient of the Victoria Cross for Australia, which replaced the old British or Imperial Victoria Cross in 1991.
The medal was presented at Government House in Canberra by Governor General Quentin Bryce.
"You are the finest example and inspiration, Trooper Donaldson, VC, I salute you," she said as she presented the award.
The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, said honouring Trooper Donaldson was a momentous day for the Australian Defence Force.
"He has just been inducted into ranks of those military personnel deemed to be the most gallant, the most heroic, the most devoted," he said.
"This young man performed an extraordinary act of supreme valour."
Trooper Donaldson said he felt very privileged and overwhelmed at being awarded Australia's highest military honour.
"I don't see myself as a hero. I was in Afghanistan just doing my job. My training and my instincts took over on the day," Trooper Donaldson said in a statement released by the Defence Force.
"I am very proud but also keen to get back to work and be with my mates."
Hats off to this bloke, especially with Australia Day coming up this week!!
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Sally-Anne
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#2 Posted: Sun Jan 23rd, 2011 01:56 pm |
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 Congratulations
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Molly
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#3 Posted: Mon Jan 24th, 2011 03:13 pm |
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 Fantastic!
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dahls
President Wannabe
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#4 Posted: Mon Jan 24th, 2011 04:21 pm |
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| Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi Congrats
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kanga
captain kanga-roo
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#5 Posted: Tue Jan 25th, 2011 12:26 pm |
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| This is so neat i bet Trooper Mark Donaldson is a proud man
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Belinda
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#6 Posted: Tue Jan 25th, 2011 03:27 pm |
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| A wonderful story and notice the everyday 'im a normal person' type of person never looks at it as being a hero just doing what anybody would do. Beautiful!
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JohnB
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#7 Posted: Tue Jan 25th, 2011 08:01 pm |
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| No surprise he is an AussieOnya mate!
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Wallaby
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Rick
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#8 Posted: Wed Jan 26th, 2011 09:14 pm |
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Current time is 03:16 pm | |
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