A Digger’s VC
Aussie SAS trooper/dad Mark Donaldson drew Taliban fire to save his wounded mates. The Australian:
Over two hours in southeastern Afghanistan last September 2, Trooper Donaldson, 29, repeatedly fought alone in open ground raked by accurate and heavy Taliban machine-gun fire to allow his wounded comrades to be dragged to safety.
…
Under furious enemy fire Trooper Donaldson moved rapidly between alternative positions engaging the Taliban with his M4 carbine and 66mm and 84mm shoulder-fired rockets.
“He deliberately exposed himself to enemy fire in order to draw attention to himself and thus away from wounded soldiers,” the citation says.
“This selfless act alone brought enough time for those wounded to be moved to relative safety.”
But, there was more.
With the wounded, nine of them Australian, piled onto the vehicles the convoy began to withdraw with covering fire provided by Afghan US and Australian special forces soldiers sheltering beside the vehicles.
Those soldiers still fit to fight had to jog alongside the vehicles.
There was no space onboard, due to the large number of wounded.
One of the last to leave, Trooper Donaldson, spotted the Afghan interpreter lying wounded in open ground more than 80m away. “His movement, once identified by the enemy, drew intense and accurate machine gun fire from entrenched positions,” the citation says.
“Upon reaching the wounded coalition force interpreter, Trooper Donaldson picked him up and carried him back to the relative safety of the vehicles and then provided immediate first aid before returning to the fight.”
Some Australian VC history via The Australian. Old Digger Keith Payne, who earned his in Vietnam remarked:
“I’m absolutely delighted we have a live one … At a party like his, the chances of coming out alive are pretty negative – and he never got hit, and that’s amazing.”
Here’s Donaldson and the wife:
After official photographs flanked with senior army brass, Australia’s latest VC winner, accompanied by his wife, Emma, and two-year-old daughter, Kaylee, spoke briefly to the media.
No, he didn’t think the award would change him. “I’m still Mark Donaldson, and we’ll keep going from day to day and we’ll see how we go,” he said.
“I don’t see myself as a hero, honestly. I still see myself as a soldier first and foremost.”
Emma Donaldson, overcome with emotion during the ceremony, admitted to nervous moments while he was away, but said she fully supported him.
“He was married to the army before he married me, and I support him all the way.”
Donaldson is saluted at Castle Argghhh!!!, where the Armorer wants to know why the MOH is only awarded posthumously these days. He believes there are Distinguished Service Cross and Navy Cross citations out there that could merit a Medal of Honor
Topics: Afghanistan, Australia, courage
Posted by Jules Crittenden at 8:30 pm Comments (0) on Friday, January 16, 2009
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