Victoria Cross for Afghanistan Hero

Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you:

No adverts like this in the forums anymore.
Times and dates in your local timezone.
Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance.
Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely.
Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net.

If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

**angelofvengeance**

Thought this was pretty badass and well deserved. And apparently he's the 2nd member of his family to receive a Victoria Cross.

Source:
http://news.sky.com/story/1434439/vc-hero-took-on-20-taliban-in-helmand-battle

For the work blocked:

A British soldier who showed "complete disregard" for his own safety has won the Victoria Cross for his role in a gun battle in Afghanistan.

Lance Corporal Joshua Leakey will receive the honour following a combined US/UK assault on a Taliban stronghold in Helmand Province in 2013.

His group came under attack from around 20 insurgents armed with machine guns and rocket propelled grenades.

Under heavy fire he ran to the top of a hill where he realised two friendly machine gun teams had been surrounded.

He then moved back down the hill to give first aid to a US Marine Corps captain and began casualty evacuation.

Despite being the most junior member of the group, he returned to the top of the hill to take control of a machine gun, before moving position to fire on the enemy.

Again Lance Cpl Leakey ran 200 metres down the hill, this time to pick up a second machine gun. In 45 degree heat he clambered back up again with 60lbs of equipment on his back, drawing fire.

The troops around him were inspired by his actions and started fighting back.

During the battle, 11 insurgents were killed and four wounded.

According to his citation, his "gritty leadership" well-above his junior rank, "single-handedly regained the initiative and prevented considerable loss of life".

On hearing the news he was to receive the British armed forces' highest military honour, he said: "Why me? Why on earth have they picked me out for this.

"It's amazing to receive this, it's outrageous really. But it represents something more than just me, my mates who were there with me at the time, the rest of that tour, all the other tours the battalion has done and the regiment as well."

The Head of the Army, General Sir Nicholas Carter, clearly moved when announcing the honour , said he was "humbled to award him the Victoria Cross".

The award comes almost 70 years after another member of his family was given the same honour.

His second cousin twice removed, Sergeant Nigel Gray Leakey, was a posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross in November 1945 for his gallantry while fighting in Africa during the Second World War.

**Steve steveson**

Sounds well deserved, as VC's always are. Sounds like he went way above and beyond, and saved allot of people.

This seems rather like Sky news clutching at straws. Is him being awarded a VC not enough without some spurious familial relationship.

His second cousin twice removed

That is a very distant relationship. I have a relation who I think is my second cousin once removed, or possibly third cousin once removed, who was awarded the VC. He did great things, but I would hardly call him part of my family, and most people can probably find some award or honor in their family if they look far enough.

(Just to be clear, this is a moan about the stupidity of the media, not about him in any way).

**Nostromodamus**

Excellent work by that young man, and very well deserved reward.

Recently at work my colleagues were talking about how "nobody helps us" in the middle east and that "our allies need to step up". Their ignorance made my blood boil. Next time I shall refer them to tales like this one.

**djones520**

Awesome job Soldier. Well deserved.

**angelofvengeance**

45*C is some crazy heat.. and with the 60lbs gear on too lol.

**Jihadin**

You get use to it after awhile