Victoria Cross winner

ChrisD.

ChrisD.

ChrisD.

Man of Honour
Joined
20 Sep 2006
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Had a quick search, couldn't see another thread on this.

A paratrooper who showed "complete disregard" for his own safety during a Taliban attack in Afghanistan has been awarded the Victoria Cross - the highest British military honour.

L/Cpl Joshua Leakey, 27, of the Parachute Regiment, was recognised for his valour during the 2013 attack.

He is the third serviceman - and the first living servicemen - to receive the medal for service in Afghanistan.

L/Cpl Leakey, from Hampshire, said he was "deeply honoured".

He has been recognised with the VC almost 70 years after another member of his family was awarded the same honour.

L/Cpl Leakey's second cousin twice removed, Sergeant Nigel Gray Leakey, was a posthumous recipient of the VC in November 1945, for his actions while fighting in Africa during the Second World War.
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More at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31626357
 
Just caught this on the BBC. Well done that man.

And on a more cynical note when the Army/Government have finished with his services and flung him out in the real world perhaps with an disability sustained from an injury in the service of his country with little support he will have a very saleable item.
 
Kronos said:
Just caught this on the BBC. Well done that man.

And on a more cynical note when the Army/Government have finished with his services and flung him out in the real world perhaps with an disability sustained from an injury in the service of his country with little support he will have a very saleable item.
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Probably truer than you realise sadly.
 
It's hard to imagine running towards gunfire and I suppose that's the definition of bravery, being scared stiff but doing it anyway. Good on him. One day he may have as many medals as Prince Charles.
 
:D Thats great news for him and the Regiment. ;)

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After dismounting from helicopters, a group of UK and US forces came under attack from around 20 insurgents armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades.
Soldiers from the group became pinned down by fire on the side of the hill and surrounded by insurgents.
L/Cpl Leakey ran to the top of a hill, despite enemy fire, to assess the situation and provided first aid to a wounded US Marine Corps captain.
He then ran back up the hill to reposition a machine gun and began firing at the insurgents, despite bullets "ricocheting" off the machine gun's frame.
Despite the danger, he returned to the injured captain - drawing enemy fire again - to retrieve a second machine gun, before running back to the crest of the hill once more, where he managed to help regain the initiative.
During the battle, 11 insurgents were killed and four were wounded.
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Dang thats something.
 
What is particularly annoying is this guy and others who have been awarded for their bravery are genuine hero's. Yet everyday on the TV or in the papers the word hero is used to describe the most mundane of actions and deeds.

So when a real life hero or heroine comes along they are somewhat demeaned by the term which is a shame as these people should be held in high regard for their selfless actions,
 
I am surprised he was able to run at all with balls that large!

Bullets ricocheting off his machine gun and he runs to get a second one mid firefight... damn!

/Salsa
 
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