The second highest military medal, just after the Victoria Cross, has been awarded to an Australian soldier stationed in Perth.
In the incident that led to this honor, Sgt D received the Star of Gallantry, which occurred during an ambush on August 13th, 2010, where Perth SAS trooper Jason Brown lost his life.
Following Brown’s fatal injury from a machine-gun burst fired by the Taliban, Sgt D bravely moved forward amidst gunfire to attempt to pull Brown to safety. While he was dragging Brown towards safer ground, he returned fire at the attackers, reportedly taking out at least one insurgent fighter.
The Defense Inquiry report details these acts of bravery, referring to Sgt D as “Soldier 1.”
According to the report, Sgt D advanced under fire to retrieve Trooper Brown and exchanged shots with the enemy while dragging him to safety. It is reported that Sgt D sustained injuries during this exchange of gunfire.
Although air support and a medical evacuation helicopter were called, unfortunately, they could not save SAS soldier Jason Brown, who was later declared Dead On Arrival at an ATO base in Kandahar.
Speaking about his son, Brown’s father remarked, “If Jason had have lived, then I’m sure Sgt D would have been awarded the Victorian Cross. It’s really the same situation in which the VC has been won in the past…he was taking the same risk.”
In November, Mr. Brown and his wife Ann are set to travel from Perth to Sydney to witness Sgt D receive the Star of Gallantry.
Since its inception in 1991, the Star of Gallantry has only been awarded four times prior to this occasion.
by Mike Hansom