Posted: 1/21/2011 12:40:38 AM EDT
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From Sky
Oz SAS Man Gets VC After Daring Assault Last Updated 03:28 21/01/2011 Ian Woods, Australia correspondent An Australian SAS solider is to be awarded the Victoria Cross for single-handedly storming a lethal Taliban machine-gun post in Afghanistan. His colleagues described his action as the most conspicuous act of bravery by an Australian soldier in a hundred years. Known only as lance corporal Ben, the specialist sniper rushed into machine-gun fire in Shah Wali Kot in northern Kandahar last October. The Sydney Daily Telegraph reports that within moments, three weapons were silenced and numerous Taliban fighters had been killed. The soldier, who is 6 feet 7 tall, and has already earned a Medal of Gallantry on a previous tour of Afghanistan, will be presented with his VC by Australia's Governor General on January 23. He was part of a 24-strong team of SAS troopers dropped by helicopter after reports that the Taliban were about to launch an assault on a combined unit of Australian and Afghan Army forces. They immediately came under heavy fire, but the lance corporal's actions impressed his colleagues, who described him as a "warrior" who "just tore into the enemy". They said it was the most extreme example of conspicuous gallantry since Albert Jacka was awarded a VC after jumping into a trench full of Turkish soldiers at Gallipoli in 1915, killing seven of them. Lance corporal Ben will become the second Australian to be given a VC for bravery in Afghanistan, in a conflict that has seen 21 Australians die. Trooper Mark Donaldson received the top award in 2008 for protecting wounded soldiers under heavy enemy fire and rescuing a wounded Afghan interpreter. |
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"The corporal, who is in his 30s and was awarded a Medal for Gallantry in 2006 during an earlier combat tour in Afghanistan, was recommended for the VC after neutralising three Taliban machinegun positions during a firefight in northern Kandahar last October"
Clearly a spectacular act of bravery. Have to admit to being a pissed off with British Media for not giving this better coverage...particularly as this is (by origin) a British Medal (althought decision to award rests with Aussie Military/MOD) |
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Quoted:
Do not get between an Aussie and his barbie................. Especially if said Aussie is 6" 7" of SAS trooper! Incredible courage. I feel utterly humble reading of such MEN. I wonder if he is of Fijian origin, a lot of them are big guys and there is a lot of history of SAS Fijians. 
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More here
http://www.news.com.au/national/he-emerged-victorious-from-a-hell-of-blood-and-fire/story-e6frfkvr-1225992077678 Don't you all agree he looks a bit like me? 
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Quoted: More here http://www.news.com.au/national/he-emerged-victorious-from-a-hell-of-blood-and-fire/story-e6frfkvr-1225992077678 Don't you all agree he looks a bit like me?  yes , well from the pictures i have seen of you |
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Quoted:
More here http://www.news.com.au/national/he-emerged-victorious-from-a-hell-of-blood-and-fire/story-e6frfkvr-1225992077678 Don't you all agree he looks a bit like me? Yes, but a hell of a lot younger 
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Quoted:
More here http://www.news.com.au/national/he-emerged-victorious-from-a-hell-of-blood-and-fire/story-e6frfkvr-1225992077678 Don't you all agree he looks a bit like me? Boy, your eyes are worse than I thought.............. 
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More here http://www.news.com.au/national/he-emerged-victorious-from-a-hell-of-blood-and-fire/story-e6frfkvr-1225992077678 Don't you all agree he looks a bit like me? Watching this at the cinema last night and thought that you looked a bit like Michael Nyqvist - 1.07 mins on. |
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Quoted:
More here http://www.news.com.au/national/he-emerged-victorious-from-a-hell-of-blood-and-fire/story-e6frfkvr-1225992077678 Don't you all agree he looks a bit like me? "Don't you all agree he looks a bit like me?" There may be a passing resemblance but I am sure Cpl Roberts won't mind that. Another report here: Aussie Daily Telegraph I am surprised that he is fully identified and his photo is shown. A remarkable man. Here's to Cpl Roberts!!
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Quoted:
Quoted:
More here http://www.news.com.au/national/he-emerged-victorious-from-a-hell-of-blood-and-fire/story-e6frfkvr-1225992077678 Don't you all agree he looks a bit like me? "Don't you all agree he looks a bit like me?" There may be a passing resemblance but I am sure Cpl Roberts won't mind that. Another report here: Aussie Daily Telegraph I am surprised that he is fully identified and his photo is shown. A remarkable man. Here's to Cpl Roberts!! He has just been inteviewed on the telly 
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What a feat of courage!
Watch the video at the link, when he's shaking hands with some other SAS, they look like boys next to him. http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Victoria-Cross-Corporal-Ben-Roberts-Smith-Awarded-Military-Honour-For-Bravery-In-Afghanistan/Article/201101415908432?lpos=World_News_News_Your_Way_Region_9&lid=NewsYourWay_ARTICLE_15908432_Victoria_Cross%3A_Corporal_Ben_Roberts-Smith_Awarded_Military_Honour_For_Bravery_In_Afghanistan |