Australia Salutes Trooper Donaldson, V.C.

[Tamrin]

Victoria Cross winner Mark Donaldson
wants to return to Afghanistan

[Excerpt - Article by Mark Dodd and Christian Kerr, The Australian, 16 Jan. 2009 - Linked Above]

SAS soldier Mark Donaldson has won the Victoria Cross for risking his life in Afghanistan - and now he can't wait to rejoin his mates in the thick of the battle against the Taliban.

And his wife Emma supports his wish, saying: "He was married to the army before he married me,'' she said.

Trooper Donaldson was awarded Australia's first VC in 40 years today in Canberra this morning by Governor-General Quentin Bryce.

His extraordinary, selfless courage under fire during a Taliban ambush in Oruzgan province is now the stuff of legend but the self-deprecating Digger dismisses any suggestions he is a hero.

[Tamrin]

Victoria Cross

[Excerpt - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Linked Above]

As the highest award for valour of the United Kingdom, the Victoria Cross is always the first award to be presented at an investiture, even before knighthoods, as was shown at the investiture of Johnson Beharry who received his medal before General Sir Mike Jackson. Due to its status the VC is always the first medal worn in a row of medals and it is the first set of post-nominal letters used to indicate any decoration or order. Similar acts of extreme valour that do not take place in the face of the enemy are honoured with the George Cross which has equal precedence but is awarded second due to fact that the GC is newer.

There is a widespread erroneous myth that it is statutory for "all ranks to salute a bearer of the Victoria Cross." There is no official requirement that appears in the official Warrant of the VC, nor in Queen's Regulations and Orders but tradition dictates that this occurs and as such the Chiefs of Staff will salute a Private awarded a VC or GC.

[Tamrin]

Victoria Cross for Australia

[Excerpt - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Linked Above]

The Victoria Cross for Australia is the highest award in the Australian Honours System, superseding the Victoria Cross for issue to Australians. It was created by letters patent signed by Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on 15 January 1991. The first medal was awarded on 16 January 2009 to Trooper Mark Donaldson, for the rescue of a coalition forces interpreter from heavy fire in Oruzgan Province in Afghanistan. Donaldson's award came almost 40 years since Warrant Officer Keith Payne was awarded the VC for gallantry on 24 May 1969 during the Vietnam War.

Trooper Mark Donaldson is flanked by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, previous VC recipient Keith Payne,
wife Emma and daughter Kaylee, and Governor-General Quentin Bryce. Photo: Glen McCurtayne

[Tamrin]

Trooper Donaldson's actions:

In September of last year, Australian soldiers were part of a convoy travelling in the Uruzgan Province in Afghanistan, when they came under sustained and heavy fire from Taliban forces.

At the time it was known that nine Australians were among the wounded, but the heroic actions of one Australian solder in particular have not been fully known until now.

Trooper Mark Donaldson repeatedly and deliberately drew enemy fire to divert attention from the wounded soldiers, and when he noticed an injured Afghan interpreter had been left behind, he ran 80 metres across the battlefield to rescue him.

For that, the 29 year-old who's now based in Perth has become the first Australian since the Vietnam war to be awarded the Victoria Cross.